Disability rights’ activists have welcomed the progress of a bill in NI to remove ‘severe impairment’ as a ground for surgically terminating a pregnancy and therefore stop eugenic abortion.

The bill has passed Committee Stage at the Northern Ireland Assembly, after 99% of the 9,125 submissions to a Northern Ireland Committee for Health consultation on the Bill supported the proposed law change.

Heidi Crowter, a campaigner who has Down Syndrome, welcomed the news, saying the current law “is downright discrimination” because it allows late-term abortion for babies with disabilities, but not healthy babies.

Lisa Allen from Belfast, whose son Aaron has Down Syndrome, also welcomed that the bill is one step closer to becoming law. “When Aaron was 4 weeks old we were told he would need surgery on his heart at 6 months old. He has 3 holes in his heart, a VSD, ASD and PDA. Aaron was sent home with a feeding tube and meds and we were told to prepare for his surgery at 6 months old. Nearly 6 years later and he is amazing his consultants and has still avoided surgery. Aaron is a loveable, strong and determined little boy. To think that now a baby like Aaron could have his life ended because of Down Syndrome breaks my heart. He has shown that he is strong, able and determined from day one”.