Northern Ireland’s abortion law breaches the UK’s human rights commitments, the High Court ruled. The case was taken in Belfast by Sarah Ewart, who challenged the law after she was denied a termination. The judge said she ruled in Mrs Ewart’s favour as it was not right to ask another woman to relive the trauma that she had already experienced. Mrs Ewart said the ruling was “a turning point for women” in their campaign against “outdated laws”.

The judge said a formal declaration of incompatibility would not be made at this stage. Mrs Justice Keegan made that decision in light of impending legislation, already passed at Westminster, which will decriminalise abortion if there is no deal to restore devolution in Northern Ireland by 21 October. Members of the anti-abortion campaign group Precious Life protested outside the court during the hearing. “It’s a very sad day that the court has denied the right to life for unborn children,” said director Bernie Smyth.(BBC)…[+]