Since the charity issued its statement, a number of amendments have been placed against the proposals, as well as a Sursis Motive which aimed to defer the debate until next year so a longer public consultation period could be held.
The HSC proposals can be read HERE and the Sursis and amendments can be read HERE.
Pictured: The British Pregnancy Advisory Service website can be found HERE.
Commenting on the original, unamended proposals, BPAS said the suggested changes are “a vindication of the rights of women in Guernsey – treating abortion as a healthcare decision that should be made between a woman and her medical team” and that “BPAS believes there is no role for the criminal law when it comes to women ending their own pregnancies, and that abortion should be governed by medical law and regulation, not specific criminal laws”.
The charity said the law, which was introduced in 1997, is based on the UK’s 1967 British Abortion Act, which is “out of date and harm the ability of doctors, nurses, and midwives to provide the best quality of care for women”.
Following reforms of abortion laws in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, BPAS said it is time for Guernsey to update its laws too.
Rachael Clarke, Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager at BPAS, said:
“We are delighted to see the forward-looking proposals for abortion law reform in Guernsey. These proposals bring the law up to date and into line with the positive changes that have taken place over the last couple of years in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, and provide a framework where women can access care based on best medical practice.
“Legal abortion is a necessary part of women’s healthcare. One in three women will access an abortion over their lifetime – this healthcare is essential and deserves to be supported and governed by up to date laws and regulations. No woman should be forced to travel to access this care – and these proposals recognise that fact.“
Pictured: For women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy advise is available from a number of charities and organisations.
The debate on changing the island’s abortion law is expected to start today, after the States meeting got underway yesterday, with HSC saying before it started that it had the support of the majority of respondents to a public consultation on the proposals.
Since the proposals were first published on 2 March, HSC had asked for comment from members of the public – with hundreds of people doing so before the States meeting started this week.
HSC said: “The Committee received in excess of 300 responses from members of the public expressing a wide range of views with 66% of respondents expressing support for the recommendations.
“Ahead of the States debate on Wednesday 17 June 2020, a summary of the responses received together with a comment on them by the Committee has been published today and can be found here.
“It is recognised that abortion is a subject matter which attracts a range of views and is often deeply personal. HSC is respectful of this and is grateful to everyone who has shared their thoughts on its recommended changes to the law.”
Pictured: Maria O’Brien.
Campaign group, Life for Both, said the statistics released by HSC would suggest a high number of people had also said they are against the proposed changes, and those views shouldn’t be discounted.
“There will be lots and lots of people who don’t engage with this debate, because it can get so nasty, who are opposed to abortion, who wouldn’t have written in, so I actually would say those figures are pretty comparable and do suggest perhaps a delay and a wider consultation is needed.”
The responses to the public consultation can be read HERE.