Éirígí Welcomes Advances On Same Sex Marriage And Abortion Rights In Six Counties
Éirígí For a New Republic welcomes the passing of legislation to both decriminalise abortion and legalise same-sex marriage in the Six Counties The legislative changed were introduced following the failure of a last-ditch attempt led by the DUP to block the reforms. Speaking from Dublin, Cathaoirleach Éirígí Brian Leeson said,
“Éirígí welcomes the decriminalising of abortion services for women in the Six Counties. This represents a major advance in the struggle to provide free, safe, local and legal abortion services throughout the island of Ireland. This decriminalisation comes less than eighteen months after the 8th Amendment was repealed by a massive margin south of the border.
We also welcome the fact that women who were facing the possibility of prosecution and criminal charges for obtaining an abortion will now have all legal proceedings against them dropped.
The demand for All-Ireland Abortion Rights is now within months of being achieved
The legalisation of same-sex marriage in the Six Counties also represents a major achievement in the advancement of equality and inclusiveness in Ireland. After four failed attempts, the Stormont Assembly narrowly voted in favour of same-sex marriage back in 2015, but the DUP has been successful in blocking it until now. This legalistion of same-sex marriage in the Six Counties comes following a referendum to support same sex marriage in 2015 in the Twenty-Six Counties.
Equality and liberty are two of the fundamental pillars of Irish republicanism. As a republican party Éirígí, supports equality for all, regardless of their sexual orientation and personal liberty for all, including the right to control of one’s own body.
Éirígí has been actively campaigning for all-Ireland abortion rights for the past number of years as part of our wider campaign to build a New Republic that will be based on equality, social justice and feminism. Our members were also to the forefront of last year’s Repeal campaign in a number of local areas.
The advances in abortion rights and same sex marriage that have now been made in both states mark a major defeat for the forces of political, religious and social conservatism across the whole island. We welcome the advances that have been made on these important social issues and call for the rapid enactment of the necessary enabling legislation in the Six Counties.
Pending the re-unification of the national territory and the creation of a New Republic, we will remain vigilant for any attempt by the DUP and others to roll back the recent advances that have been made.”