POLAND / IRELAND / FRANCE Abortion referendum in Ireland THE Irish government has scheduled a referendum on abortion in the wake of the case of the fourteen year-old rape victim, who had been initially refused the right to travel to Britain for an abortion earlier this year. The referendum, which will take place on November 26, will cover three points and will most likely be phrased as follows:
• It shall be unlawful to terminate the life of the unborn unless such termination is necessary to save the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother where there is a — non self-inflicted — illness or disorder of the mother giving rise to a real or substantive risk to her life.
• There shall be no limit on freedom to travel to another state.
• There shall be no limit to freedom to obtain or make available, subject to conditions laid down by law, information on services lawfully available in another member (EC) state.
A broad campaign called the Alliance for Choice has been formed to produce publicity material and coordinate activities in relation to the referendum. It is campaigning vigorously for a "yes" vote on information and travel, and against the first point. Most liberal and women's forces and bourgeois parties as well as Sinn Fein will call for a "no" vote for the first question. Only Fianna Fail, the government party, is calling for a "yes" vote on this question. The Catholic hierarchy has not taken a clear position, but individual priests are expected to use their pulpit for agitation around this issue.
In addition, the Repeal the 8th Amendment Campaign is continuing its calls for the repeal of the 8th Amendment. This amendment states that "The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn child and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right."
Solidarity from other countries is very important. The Irish government is very sensitive to international public opinion and is quite concerned about the image it got through the barbaric affair of the rape victim. Targets for solidarity pickets are Irish embassies, consulates and airlines (Aer Lingus).
For further information, contact: Repeal the 8th Amendment, P.O. Box 3441 Dublin 8 (telephone: 1 746113) and The Women's Coalition, P.O. Box 3514 Dublin 1 (telephone: 1 746113; Fax: 745186). *