Cunningham outlines SDLP position on abortion

He made the comments following debate at Moyle Council during which Councillor Dónal Cunningham proposed that ‘Council notes the recent debate on amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill; reaffirms its opposition to the extension of the 1967 British Abortion Act to Northern Ireland; and calls on the Executive to ensure all providers of reproductive health services operate strictly within the law and are fully regulated’.

He went on to outline the SDLP Position on Abortion.

Said Cllr Cunningham: “The SDLP is a pro-life party. We have been since our formation and remain so. Our position is based on human rights criteria and the fundamental human right to life clearly takes precedence over all other rights. 
“Our opposition to abortion is based firmly on the unarguable case that, from the point of conception the child is a human being, and is therefore entitled to human rights protection.
“For this reason we are opposed to the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland. We are also opposed to any liberal interpretation of law on this matter.
“Throughout the troubles at the very centre of SDLPs principles and policy was the protection of life and that includes the unborn child. We believe that every life should be protected and respected, and that includes everyone from conception. 
“We must respect Human Rights for all, the most fundamental human right is the right to life and we must protect the life of all unborn children”.