Opinion
30 Jan 18

Isle of Man Abortion Reform Bill passes new hurdle

The Abortion Reform Bill in the Isle of Man has passed a "significant" hurdle in the House of Keys on Tuesday.

Members of the House of Keys (MHK) the directly elected lower branch of Tynwald, which is the parliament of the Isle of Man, have passed the second reading of MHK Dr Alex Allinson's Abortion Amendement Bill.

The proposed Bill would allow for abortion on request up until 14 weeks, and up until 24 weeks in serious medical cases such as rape or sexual assault.

Currently, the Isle of Man allows for termination up until 24 weeks but only in cases where there is significant chance that the foetus will not survive pregnancy, they also allow for termination in cases of rape or assault provided an affidavit can be produced.

It was reported that Dr Alex Allinson gave a rousing speech in favour of abortion on request in which he spoke of how politicians had turned a 'blind eye' to the plight of women travelling off-Island for an abortion according to local news outlet Isle Of Man Today.

"We have remained silent to their feelings of shame and guilt caused by a system we have allowed to persist" he said.

The Bill is due to return to the House of Keys in two weeks time to be debated and amended.