The Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has described Ireland’s abortion laws as “far too restrictive” and voiced his support for changes to allow for abortion where the health of a mother is in danger, which is the main ground on which almost 200,000 abortion per annum in the UK take place. He also questioned the use of the term ‘foetus’ instead of ‘baby’ by some people.
Divorce rates in the United States are at their lowest level in 35 years, a new study has shown. According to research undertaken by the National Centre for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, the divorce rate has been falling in recent years. In 2014, the rate stood at 17.6 divorces per 1,000 people married, and fell again in the latest year of study, 2015, when it stood at 16.9 per 1,000. The rate in 1980 was 23 per 1,000. The study also revealed those states with the highest rates of divorce: Alaska, Arkansas, Nevada, Wyoming, and Washington D.C. Those with the lowest rates are Hawaii, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Delaware, and New Jersey. While the study found that marriage rates rose slightly in 2015, to 32.3 per 1,000, this is still significantly below the marriage rate for 1980. One possible reason for the fall in the divorce rate is the rise in cohabitation.
The Washington D.C. city council has approved a Bill to legalise assisted suicide. Passed in an 11 to two vote, the measure, which is modelled on the 1997 assisted suicide legislation in the state of Oregon allows for those over 18 to access lethal drugs if two doctors agree the patient is in the final stages of a terminal illness. Responding to news of the vote, Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said that despite promises of safeguards with the Bill, “when you look at the reality, none of that is true. “If you have a medical condition you don’t have to speak to a specialist, you don’t have to, in any way, receive an opportunity to get the information that might change your mind” about assisted suicide.
Northern Ireland’s Attorney General is to take the Ashers Bakery case to the UK Supreme Court. While Ashers’ owners the McArthur family continue to consider their next move against the discrimination finding against them in the so-called ‘gay cake row’, a spokeswoman for John Larkin QC responded to a query from The Belfast Telegraph newspaper that the Attorney General is to take the matter further. “I can confirm that an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court has been listed for hearing on November 22,” she said. Reacting to the development, the Christian Institute, which has supported the McArthurs, said: “[Mr Larkin] has unique constitutional powers to raise the key issues with the Supreme Court and the very fact that those issues are now being raised shows how important this case is and how far-reaching the consequences of it may b
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has criticised the Government for not including a provision to prevent faith schools prioritising children of their faith during the admissions process. In a submission to all members of the Oireachtas on the Education (Admissions to School) Bill, the IHREC argued that “The Equal Status Act 2000 be amended to give effect to the principle that no child should be given preferential access to a publicly funded school on the basis of their religion”. In a series of eight recommendations, the body argues for respect for ‘greater diversity’ in schools together with safeguards on the communicating of information on religions that “avoids indoctrination”. Responding to the Human Rights Commission’s submission Minister for Education Richard Bruton said its observations would be considered. Minister Bruton said the Dáil had agreed that any amendment to ban discrimination on religious grounds in school admissions would proceed separately to the current Bill.
A Bill aimed at legalising euthanasia in the state of South Australia has been defeated in the State parliament. The Death with Dignity Bill 2016 was the second such Bill debated by legislators this year, but the first to pass a second reading by 27 to 19 votes. Its provision called for assisted suicide for those unable to take a lethal drug themselves. However, the legislation provided no further safeguards once a suicide application was approved, including any requirement that an authorised person be present at an assisted suicide. Despite such concerns the final vote 23 votes to 23. The Bill was ultimately struck down by the deciding vote of the parliamentary Speaker.
College students in Britain seeking to run pro-life clubs face growing hostility and censorship, according to the Alliance of Pro-Life Students (APS). On its blog, the APS reports that it is currently working with three pro-life groups on separate university campuses who face opposition to the establishment of such groups, or the disbandment of those already in existence. In one case, at Newcastle University, opponents to pro-life groups claimed such a club would be a discriminatory group that alienates and will make many young women feel unwelcome on campus”. The university’s Student Union ultimately rejected this argument. “These constant attacks on the free speech of students across England, Wales and Scotland highlights the need for pro-life leaders on campus,” APS said.
A British-based barrister has warned that the Ashers Bakery discrimination judgement risks the restriction of freedom of conscience and speech for all. Writing on the UK Human Rights Blog, Alasdair Henderson states: “Discrimination law is supposed to be about protecting people, not ideas or words”. He added that the reasoning of the Court of Appeal could have repercussions beyond Ashers, including driving people “with any deeply-held beliefs out of all kinds of businesses…There must be a better way of balancing competing rights in a diverse, plural society”, he concluded.
