The following report appeared in the Socialist Party (CWI- Ireland) website on the tragic death of Savita Hallappanavar due to denial of abortion on religious grounds. The Socialist Party (Ireland) has been tirelessly campaigning for abortion rights for decades and the need to legislate the Supreme Court ruling on X as a step towards legal abortion services in Ireland. Joe Higgins (Socialist Party TD) has already raised the issue in Irish Parliament (See Video: Joe Higgins calls for immediate action to ensure Savita tragedy never happens again) and Socialist Party will be campaigning amongst the people and through its elected representatives for an immediate legislative change so that tragedies like Savita’s will not occur in the future.
The decision to carry a pregnancy to term must be a woman’s choice and no one else’s. Neither the state nor religious dictum have any right in overriding on what is purely a personnel choice.
Editors
Socialism.in
Responding to the tragic news of the death of Savita Halappanavar following a decision by consultants at Galway University Hospital not to proceed with the termination of an unviable foetus Socialist Party councillor and pro-choice activist Ruth Coppinger said:
“It was only last Monday that we raised the issue of the need to legislate for the Supreme Court ruling on X at a debate in Fingal County Council. None of us were aware at that stage of the tragic and needless death of Savita Halappanavar who developed septicaemia from E Coli after she was refused a timely termination of an unviable miscarrying 17 week-old foetus.
“Our first thoughts must be for Savita’s family and friends and Savita herself who endured two and a half days of agony during which, despite her pleas, she was denied a termination because there remained a foetal heart beat and according to her husband she was told that we ‘live in a Catholic country’.
“This medieval state of affairs persists because of the cowardly inaction of successive governments since 1992 as well as the lethal foot dragging by this government who voted down a United Left Alliance backed bill that would have saved Savita’s life and potentially the lives of other women. Legislation for X must proceed immediately to prevent this from happening again. Joe Higgins TD and others will seek a debate today in the Dáil over what has happened.
“However we cannot assume that this needless tragedy will bring the political establishment to their senses. People power pressure from below is what is required. The Socialist Party therefore urges people to turn out in force this evening at 6pm outside the Dáil to demand action on X as a first vital step towards free, safe and legal abortion services in Ireland.
Socialist Party (CWI- Ireland)
Also See:
Savita Halappanavar’s death, pro-choice protests and candlelight vigils held in many places
X Case legislation defeated – Time for a new struggle for abortion rights
Abortion rights now! For real choice
Abortion Bill – a first step towards a womans’ right to choose
