Jersey backs liberal abortion regime

Members of Jersey’s elected parliament have approved radical plans to liberalise the island’s abortion laws.

States Assembly Members passed a Bill which allows abortion up to 22 weeks on demand, and permits a woman to kill her unborn baby at any stage of pregnancy without sanction.

The Draft Termination of Pregnancy Law, passed by 44 votes to two, is expected to come into force later this year.

Decriminalisation

Currently, it is illegal to have an abortion in Jersey “after the end of the 12th week of pregnancy, other than in very limited circumstances”, but the new legislation will permit abortion “before 22 weeks without the need to justify grounds”.

For chemically-induced abortions, it requires a pregnant woman to take the first pill under medical supervision, but states that she may, in certain circumstances, take the second pill — which induces a miscarriage — at home.

Furthermore, it provides that an expectant mother “does not commit an offence” where she knowingly consents to, or “assists in, performs or attempts to perform” an abortion on herself beyond the new provisions.

The draft Law also paves the way for the introduction of censorship zones around abortion clinics and permits the Assembly to “create criminal offences associated with banned activities”, which are likely to prohibit pro-life witness.

Deputy Montfort Tadier claimed the measures did not go far enough. He argued: “we are behind what the UK is allowing at the moment, they have a 24-week limit”. But Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell said the 22-week limit had been adopted as it reflected “the edge of viability of life” outside the womb.

Culture of death

Last month, Jersey lawmakers voted through a Bill to legalise both euthanasia and assisted suicide.

The Institute’s Head of Communications Angus Saul said: “Within a matter of weeks, Jersey politicians have downgraded the lives of the unborn, exposed pregnant mothers to unnecessary risk, and offered an early death to the sick, disabled, and vulnerable.

“The sanctity of life, from conception to natural death, has been hollowed out by the States Assembly. These are dark days indeed for the people of Jersey.”