A chara, – As an Irish emigrant, I have seen the disbelief register on the faces of my friends and colleagues as the issue of restriction on abortion in Ireland was brought to the world’s attention following the UN Human Rights Commission’s finding on the Amanda Mellet case.
To say that they are shocked by the treatment of pregnant women in Ireland would be a grave understatement, and that this reaction finds so many echoes around the world highlights how far out of step we now are on this fundamental question of human rights.
To say that this is an embarrassment to the nation and to successive governments is the mildest criticism that could possibly be made, and the only belated recognition that the State can make of the suffering it has imposed on countless women and families is to bring the repeal of the Eighth Amendment before the people, as soon as possible, and with the unequivocal support of the Government. – Is mise,
CLAIRE GARRY,
Zurich,
Switzerland.