SDLP Foyle Assembly Member Pat Ramsey has said the Pro-Life rally at Stormont was ‘a march for civil rights - to defend the most fundamental civil right of all – the right to life.’

Speaking at the rally Mr Ramsey said, “Standing here today looking out at everyone who have made the journey to this famous landmark causes me to cast my mind back to the events of four decades ago when John Hume lead a cavalcade to Stormont to campaign for civil rights.

“It is apt therefore, that this year which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we are gathered here, unified in purpose, to defend the most fundamental civil right of all – the right to life.

“The SDLP was the party born out of the civil rights movement and we are proud to be so. The SDLP is a pro-life party and steadfastly remains so. The protection of life and that of the unborn child lies at the heart of our principles and policies. We maintain this position, in full democratic conscience, on the basis of our manifesto commitments and on behalf of the mandate of the thousands of men and women who elected us.”

Turning to his concerns about any possibility of the Abortion Act to be extended to Northern Ireland, Mr Ramsey said, “The British Abortion Act allows babies to be aborted at more advanced stages than many other countries. In fact even some so-called 'pro-choice' activists in Britain find this Act cruel. Not only does it permit abortion up to 24 weeks but, in the case of 'foetal abnormality' or known disability, right up until birth. Let's tell this as it is – babies in England have been aborted because of cleft palates. So as well as violating the right to life of babies who are fully viable, this act makes the most offensive statement to people with disabilities.

“In England, where abortion is legal one in every four child is aborted. In many hospitals we have doctors and nurses in maternity wards battling to save the lives of premature babies under 24 weeks. In another ward in those very same hospitals unborn children are being aborted. This is the harrowing reality which I do not want to see here in Northern Ireland.

This issue has always been and should always remain the responsibility of the devolved Assembly rather than Westminster. The issue of abortion reinforces the importance of the devolution of justice and policing powers taking place as soon as possible. Then we can ensure with complete confidence that important decisions such as these remain within the control of the Assembly.”

Mr Ramsey also stated that more needed to be done to help women in crisis pregnancy. He said, “We recognise, however, that unplanned pregnancies are often a serious crisis for a woman, particularly a young single woman. But I believe society has not made the necessary effort required to support these women when they find themselves in these difficult situations. That is why we need a significant and substantial programme of support and assistance for those who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. These women need proper, emotional, physical and financial assistance. This is a core issue on which we should be focusing our minds and efforts. Anything we can do to sustain and support those who raise children must be our priority.”

---

Full text of Pat Ramsey’s Speech:


Speech by Pat Ramsey MLA SDLP Foyle
Rally for Life
Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast
18 October 2008

Thank you Bernie for such a kind introduction. And all of you for your warm reception. It's greatly encouraging to see so many people here today especially those who have travelled a long distance.

My thanks as well go to everyone involved in today's rally and those who have organised it with typical diligence and dedication. And to the other speakers for their valued contributions which challenged and informed.

Standing here today looking out at everyone who have made the journey to this famous landmark causes me to cast my mind back to the events of four decades ago when John Hume lead a cavalcade to Stormont to campaign for civil rights.

It is apt therefore, that this year which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we are gathered here, unified in purpose, to defend the most fundamental civil right of all – the right to life.

Those who marched before us faced injustice - rose against it - and marched to end it. By taking a courageous, determined stand they transformed our society for the better, forever and for all.

Now in 2008, we must repeat and redouble these efforts to prevent the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.

The SDLP was the party born out of the civil rights movement and we are proud to be so. The SDLP is a pro-life party and steadfastly remains so.

Pro-life in the face of capital punishment.

Pro-life in the face of paramilitary violence.

Pro-life in the face of abortion.

Pro-Life in the Assembly.

Pro-Life in Westminster.


And with Alban Maginness, our candidate for the forthcoming European Elections we will be pro-life in Europe too.

Put simply – the SDLP is pro-life, with no exceptions and we will make no attempt to hide it. The protection of life and that of the unborn child lies at the heart of our principles and policies. We maintain this position, in full democratic conscience, on the basis of our manifesto commitments and on behalf of the mandate of the thousands of men and women who elected us.

In Westminster our MPs – Mark Durkan, Dr Alasdair McDonnell and Eddie McGrady will use their power and their influence to urge other members not to abuse the present content by extending a piece of legislation here which is so widely and rightly opposed. This week my four female assembly colleagues Mary Bradley, Dolores Kelly, Carmel Hanna, and Margaret Ritchie, the Minister for Social Development – several of whom are in attendance today – co-signed a letter with my party leader Mark Durkan addressed to the Prime Minister and all MPs imploring them to oppose this move.

For the British Abortion Act allows babies to be aborted at more advanced stages than many other countries. In fact even some so-called 'pro-choice' activists in Britain find this Act cruel. Not only does it permit abortion up to 24 weeks but, in the case of 'foetal abnormality' or known disability, right up until birth. Let's tell this as it is – babies in England have been aborted because of cleft palates.

So as well as violating the right to life of babies who are fully viable, this act makes the most offensive statement to people with disabilities.

We recognise, however, that unplanned pregnancies are often a serious crisis for a woman, particularly a young single woman. But I believe society has not made the necessary effort required to support these women when they find themselves in these difficult situations. That is why we need a significant and substantial programme of support and assistance for those who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy. These women need proper, emotional, physical and financial assistance. This is a core issue on which we should be focusing our minds and efforts. Anything we can do to sustain and support those who raise children must be our priority.

In England, where abortion is legal one in every four child is aborted. In many hospitals we have doctors and nurses in maternity wards battling to save the lives of premature babies under 24 weeks. In another ward in those very same hospitals unborn children are being aborted. This is the harrowing reality which I do not want to see here in Northern Ireland.

This issue has always been and should always remain the responsibility of the devolved Assembly rather than Westminster.

This is not only the SDLP view it is the expressed view of the people of Northern Ireland. It would be a serious development if devolution was unilaterally breached by the House of Commons. This would be all the more unwelcome at a time when the SDLP and especially this Labour Government whose members have signed this amendment, are pressing for the final piece in the devolution process with the transfer of the remaining policing and justice powers. I would remind some of those here present that this issue of abortion reinforces the importance of the devolution of justice and policing powers taking place as soon as possible. Then we can ensure with complete confidence that important decisions such as these remain within the control of the Assembly.

And contrary to the impression created by some, I wish to make clear that courts have ruled that the law in Northern Ireland does not need to be amended or brought up to date in order to clarify or improve it. The courts have told the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to produce new guidance on the existing law for medical practitioners. The SDLP has registered concerns on some of the terms used in draft guidance which went out to consultation.

The devolved minister and his department have to be afforded the space to meet the law's requirements in terms of good guidance. I am confident the Minister is working doggedly and determinedly to deal seriously and sensitively with all the issues involved.

The Assembly has already shown that it wants to support him with a sound outcome that complies with the court's requirements. The imposition of a law by Westminster would shatter the careful consideration, now being applied.

These guidelines must be written so that they are a charter for the preservation of life rather than a charter for termination of life. Nor can they be allowed to be a pathway for the creation of permissible grounds which can be made, manufactured and manipulated into circumstances for abortion. The SDLP will insist that in incidence of mental illness there must be verification by a psychiatrist or appropriate consultant.

In our submission we will insist that the human rights of the unborn child are explicit in the guidelines in such away that they cannot be misinterpreted or abused by those seeking a relaxation of our existing laws.

To those who express a wish for freedom of choice, I ask you this - what choice does the unborn child have? Who will be their voice? Who will make their case?

The SDLP's record of building-in and building-up equality and human rights protections stems from our foundation out of the non-violent Civil Rights movement. Therefore we hope this again will be a time when the 'We Shall Overcome' anthem of civil rights will inspire us.

To overcome hurt and galvanise hope.

To overcome injustice, inequality and the indifference that tolerates them

To overcome those who table this amendment.

To overcome those who wish to take life away.

To will overcome those who deny the right to life of the unborn child.

And to the thousands of lives that will be saved through our prayers, pledges and protest – we shall walk hand in hand one day and every day.

Source : SDLP



[BACK TO NEWS HEADLINES]