UN TO HEAR CHALLENGE TO IRISH LAW ON FATAL FOETAL ABNORMALITIES BY WEXFORD WOMAN
A Wexford woman says she was ‘abandoned’ by her country when she found out she was carrying a baby who would not live outside the womb.
The case of Siobhan Whelan is being taken to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in an attempt to challenge the refusal by the State to allow terminations of pregnancies where there is a fatal foetal abnormality.
The New York-based Centre for Reproductive Rights, which is taking the case, says having to travel outside Ireland to end a non viable pregnancy constitutes ‘cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment’.
Siobhan Whelan says she felt abandoned and she’s appealing to the Health Minister to change the law.
“I met with Dr. Reilly up in the Dail. he was sympathetic to us – but now we need more than sympathy, we want action on this” she said.
“We want to see the laws changed to provide for a termination under these circumstances”.
“I think back to what I went through – (it was) a horrendous time, and to be abandoned by your own country isn’t nice”.
“I really feel for people who have to go through…what we went through – you just wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy” she added.
