The report from the Commissioners of the UK Parliamentary Inquiry into Abortion on the Grounds of Disability has been released today.
It is a momentous and historic moment in our journey to social justice for our community. In the accompanying press release, the Commission of Inquiry says that:
“The UK Government must review the Abortion Act and end the discrimination against unborn disabled children.”
That is pretty clear and direct. This is a clear recognition from a Parliamentary Inquiry that disability selective abortion is discrimination. This is a defining moment for our people as a formal cross-party Commission of MPs and Peers hears and acknowledges the discrimination that has been carried out against our community. Much good will follow from this acknowledgment.
The Commission goes on to say that:
“The current legislation is out-dated, allowing abortion for disabled babies up to birth and is in urgent need of reform. “
The inquiry has recognised an urgent need for reform. Fantastic!
This is an outstanding outcome. This is a major opportunity for social justice for our community. We applaud Fiona Bruce MP, the Inquiry Chair, and the Commissioners for this most welcome and important commitment to stop discrimination against the disabled community.
Fiona Bruce goes on say in her press release:
“…Parliament should consider at the very least the two main options for removing those elements which a majority of witnesses believe are discriminatory – that is either reducing the upper time limit for abortions on the grounds of disability from birth to make it equal to the upper limit for able bodied babies or repealing Section 1(1)(d) altogether.”
Section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act provides for abortion up to birth for disabilities, including Down syndrome. Repealing that law would be the abolition of eugenic abortions against our people. Saving Downs advocates on this position and we are absolutely delighted to see such a strong and just recommendation emerge from this inquiry.
That discriminatory law is the foundation for national screening programmes for Down syndrome, Spina Bifida etc in the UK, NZ, Australia and most European countries. Those screening programmes target our community for disability selective abortion.
Such a change in law would be a defining moment for the Down syndrome community in the UK. It is also likely to have downstream effects in countries such as New Zealand and Australia, as the screening and disability selective abortion programmes in those two countries mirrors the UK ones.
The abolition of disability as a ground for abortion would ensure that the use of antenatal screening for Down syndrome would be restricted to providing life affirming care, another position that we advocate on.
Fiona Bruce made special reference to the Down syndrome community in her press release, referencing our own submission:
“The Committee also heard evidence that Down’s Syndrome accounted for around a quarter (512) of all Ground E abortions and that approximately nine in 10 (90 per cent) of babies diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome were aborted.
Leading disability rights campaigner, Mike Sullivan of Saving Downs, called for the law to be changed as the condition was no longer considered to be “serious handicap”.
“The law should be amended to exclude Down’s Syndrome as it does “not meet the test of a ‘serious handicap’ since it is a mild to moderate developmental delay” and the decades of experience and research on lives lived with Down’s Syndrome prove beyond a doubt that Down’s Syndrome does not meet that criteria.”
We are delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to the inquiry and influence positive change for our people.
Earlier this year Ann Furedi, the chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service was quick out of the block to criticise the inquiry, labelling disability “tragic” whilst endorsing disability selective abortion up until birth and revealing her discriminatory attitude towards the disabled. In our open letter to her we noted:
“This inquiry is exactly what the disability community needs: The removal of discriminatory laws against the disabled.
This inquiry is also exactly what parents facing an unexpected diagnosis need: A step towards a new life affirming environment where their children will be welcomed and supported with loving care and acceptance.
The time has come for the full recognition of human rights for the disabled and this inquiry is a welcome step in that direction. “
And the inquiry has delivered for our people big time on all of these counts. Time will tell how the recommendations develope into changes, but we can sure that this is a momentous and historic stepping stone towards full social justice for our community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fiona Bruce, all the members of the Commission of Inquiry and all the brave and strong advocates who supported the inquiry with excellent robust submissions and testimonies that acknowledged the great travesty of severe discrimination against our community.
We will stand with you as we move forward to influence and secure positive changes for the full recognition of human rights for those with different abilities as a direct result of this ground breaking inquiry.
Wow, that is amazing <3 im so excited for our future world where Down syndrome will not be eradicated!!
Fantastic news, finally a human attitude that will help further development for the better!
Thank you Mike, Laura will be happy about this too…
Mike, thank you for all you have done, the evidence you submitted was fantastic. Let’s hope this opens true public debate on the subject.
Hayley
Having had to twice under go an abortion due to malformation of my babies at 4 months. (I had started to lose them spontainiously) The thought of such sweet children being aborted is horrible. Bless all of you who chose life
Well done Mike and all your support crew. I can’t believe there are people in high places internationally who have been willing to listen and support the advocacy for change. Awesome!! You deserve a medal!!
It’s good news, lets hope it goes into law. My son is a valued member of the family and his community, he radiates love and kindness: I can’t imagine life without him.
Recently I was really, really low on money and debts were eating me from all sides! That was UNTIL I decided to make money on the internet. I went to surveymoneymaker dot net, and started filling in surveys for cash, and surely I’ve been far more able to pay my bills! I’m so glad, I did this!!! With all the financial stress these years, I really hope all of you will give it a chance. – 84ck
As a New Zealand Ex-Pat BritBrit who has become a Kiwi, trying to stand for the NZ Parliament in September, I fully and totally support this necessary change. It means that we have something to refer to when debating this at our next party Conference, and if successful in getting in, something to bring to the Parliamentary Caucus.
Fantastic work, and I commit to seeing this change come through over here as well.
For the record, I am NZs first diagnosed Autistic Lawyer, and want to become our first Autistic MP. Autism is another reason to euthanase our people. If we did it based upon race, we would be accused of genocide. Why is it not genocide when it is people with disabilities? Because it is harder to support us? Because we are somehow not real humans? These are all arguments used against oppressed cultures by colonial powers down the ages. Show me a person with Down Syndrome for example, and give me ONE good reason why that person is not a person with full rights and protections. I have yet to find any such reason, and have no doubt that no good reason could ever be given.
Great work, and Kia Kaha! (Stay strong!)
Thank you Simon, that is very encouraging and welcome news. As a clarification, there is one difference between the current UK and NZ laws. The UK laws provides for abortion for disability until birth. In NZ disability is a ground up to 20 weeks gestation, but in practice it happens up to birth, as we have covered in this blog https://www.savingdownsyndrome.org/mothers-being-encouraged-to-have-late-term-abortions-for-down-syndrome-and-spina-bifida/