Aontú Welcomes the Sinn Féin U-turn on the Right to Life of People with Disabilities

Aontú Deputy Leader Dr Anne McCloskey has welcomed “the Sinn Féin U-turn on the Westminster Abortion legislation which allows for abortion up until birth for unborn children with even the mildest of disabilities”. She stated;

“It’s good to hear that Sinn Féin have drawn back from the brink of advocating for eugenics. It is good to hear they will support an amendment to make abortion on the grounds of disability illegal up to birth, unlike in Britain, where shockingly such lethal discrimination is lawful”.

“Both the Sinn Féin and the leadership of the SDLP wholeheartedly welcomed the introduction of these extreme abortion laws by Westminster just a few months ago. Sinn Féin once opposed British rule from London but on this occasion applauded the diktat from Westminster. This despite the consultation which ensued producing 41,000 responses, 79% of which rejected the decision. Its interesting that Sinn Féin voted against amendments to the South’s abortion law brought forward by Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín, 18 months ago which sought to outlaw abortion in the case of disability. Undoubtedly, the big two are now coming under pressure on a grass roots level in the north as the rudderless leadership of the SDLP look now to follow suit”.

“The courageous witness of individuals and families who have conditions such as Down’s Syndrome or cleft palates, people such as Heidi Crowter and Peter Martin have been central to shaming these parties. That these parties advocate for abortion in all circumstances up to twelve weeks gestation, when the embryological differentiation of the baby is complete shows their hypocrisy. They both now advocate the right to abort in the case of disability at 12 weeks but oppose it at 13 weeks of life”.

“Aontú is now the only All Ireland Human Rights party. We welcome potentially the first roll back of abortion law in Ireland. We will continue to keep the pressure on Sinn Féin and the SDLP. We will continue to fight for the right to life of everyone. We will continue to fight for the financial supports to be given to mothers so that they can have the economic confidence to raise their children to their full potential”.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.