We reported last month on a proposed amendment to the
Criminal Justice Bill in Northern Ireland aimed at stopping private abortion
clinics from operating in Northern Ireland
Sinn Fein’s Assembly Members have used a ‘Petition of
Concern’ to block the amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill aimed at stopping
private abortion centres like Marie Stopes International from operating in
Northern Ireland.
The 'Petition of Concern’, which required a minimum of 30
signatures, was also signed by Anna Lo of the Alliance Party and Stephen Agnew
of the Green Party.
Despite the fact that Sinn Fein were bombarded with
petitions from constituents, asking them either to support, or at least allow
the amendment to proceed, their views were ignored and the 'Petition of
Concern' was signed, effectively blocking the amendment.
Under Assembly rules, the vote on the amendment can still
take place but the ‘Petition of Concern’ means it cannot be passed without both
a majority unionist and nationalist vote.
“By using the process of a “Petition of Concern” in this
manner Sinn Fein has expanded the use of the process beyond the purpose for
which it was intended. ‘Petitions of Concern’ were designed to protect the
rights of minorities within Northern Ireland to ensure one community did not
trample upon the rights of another.
