8th Report - Abortion law in Northern Ireland

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government's response sets out its "preference" that abortion law reform remains for the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, while noting a statutory duty under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill 2019, "if it receives Royal Assent and comes into force", to implement the CEDAW recommendations if no Executive is restored by 21 October 2019.

• On a framework for CEDAW, the government says it "will work carefully" to "take all possible necessary steps" to be ready to implement regulations by 31 March 2020 if the Executive has not been restored, and will respond by 21 September 2019 to the CEDAW Committee's request for a report.
• On the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's standing, the government has "committed to introduce legislation" at "the earliest opportunity before the end of 2019", and says it is working to find the appropriate legislative vehicle and "will update the Committee in due course".
• On advice about the funded scheme, the government says it is "fully satisfied that the scheme continues to operate lawfully", while acknowledging "other views on this issue", and notes that it "has no powers to direct the Department of Health for Northern Ireland".
• On access for marginalised groups, the government says it "will host a roundtable meeting with stakeholders" and will share its mapping analysis there, which it says "will have to be treated with caution".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error