Bernadette Smyth
Photo: Steve Jalsevac / LifeSiteNews 
Guidelines published by the Westminster government on abortion law set to be imposed on Northern Ireland have been dubbed “vague” and could “open the floodgate” by a pro-life group.
The abortion guidelines, published this week for healthcare professionals, cover a period from October 22 of this year to March 31, 2020. These guidelines will only come into force if Stormont is not restored by October 21.
They state that no criminal charges can be brought against women who have an abortion or against health professionals who assist in providing abortion.
Although Precious Life were still reviewing the guidelines, Director Bernadette Smyth said: “I think overall the reality is we’re looking at abortion being made available in Northern Ireland especially for children with life-limiting disabilities.
“These guidelines can be used to take the lives of disabled children, regarding what they call fatal foetal abnormality and serious anomaly…they’re very vague.”
Concerns
There are also concerns about conscientious objection for doctors who don’t want to facilitate abortion, as the guidelines state that in England and Wales it is limited to a “hands on” capacity.
It says that in the interim period “anyone who has a conscientious objection to abortion may want to raise this with their employer”.
“The reality is these guidelines spell out death for future unborn children and no protection for the doctors with a conscientious objection,” said Mrs Smyth. “A gagging order has been placed within these guidelines.”
She added: “What we should be saying now is that every single member of the Northern Ireland Assembly must read these guidelines, because this is the reality of what will be introduced into Northern Ireland if the Stormont government is not reconvened by October 21.”
