The Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS) is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, formally partnering a legislative arm of government – the Northern Ireland Assembly – with academia. Aiming to encourage debate and improve understanding, KESS provides a forum to present and disseminate research findings in a straightforward format, making those findings easily accessible to decision-makers. Seminars are free to attend. To register email raise@niassembly.gov.uk

Agenda

1.30pm – RaISe – Welcome

1.35pm – Assembly Committee Chair – Opening Remarks 

1.45pm – Dr Kathryn McNeilly (QUB) – Beyond Article 8: The European Convention on Human Rights and Abortion in Cases of Fatal Foetal Abnormality and Sexual Crime

In November 2015 the Northern Ireland High Court determined prohibition of abortion in Northern Ireland in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and sexual crime incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This Article upholds the right to private and family life. While this was the only Article found to be violated by the High Court, submissions were also made to the Court on two other Articles of the Convention, namely the Article 3 right to be free from torture or inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment and the Article 14 right to non-discrimination. This presentation will outline in an accessible way the legal background and reasoning for the Northern Ireland High Court’s determination on Article 8, but will also return to case law of the European Court of Human Rights to explain why further incompatibility may be found under Article 3. This is significant in understanding not only the potential for this case on appeal, but also for future development and discussion of domestic law in this area.

2.05pm – Dr Fiona Bloomer (Ulster) and Dr Claire Pierson (Manchester Metropolitan University) – Morality policy under the lens – evidence based policy making on abortion versus myth-usage

This paper considers global trends in abortion policy using the framework of morality policy.  The authors will explain how the controversy over abortion policy restricts legal reform, resulting in legislative lacunae and non-decision making.  Using evidence from a British Academy funded analysis of debates in the Northern Ireland Assembly during the period 1998 to 2016, the authors demonstrate how such trends are visible in the Northern Ireland context.  The authors present examples of myths used in political debate in Northern Ireland and counter these myths with academic evidence drawn from systematic scientific reviews to illustrate the problematic nature of basing policy on morality rather than fact.

2.25pm – Dr Lesley Hoggart, (OU) and Prof Sally Sheldon (Kent University) – Tensions in Abortion law and policy, and effects on women

This presentation will focus on the tensions between the legal and policy framework for abortion, and women’s abortion experiences, throughout the UK. First, we will report on a mixed methods study into different aspects of young women’s experiences (aged 16-24) of one or more unintended pregnancies ending in abortion in England and Wales. One key finding was that despite most abortions following contraceptive failures, women still internalised shame and blame. This reflects the continued stigmatisation of abortion. We then draw on a recently completed study of the home use of abortion pills in Northern Ireland (and elsewhere), highlighting some of the ways in which the current law fails either to prevent abortion or to protect women’s health.  At a time when it is possible to end a pregnancy using pills that are readily available on line, it assesses some of the challenges for effective regulation and poses some fundamental questions regarding the need for legal reform.

2.45pm – Discussion

3.15pm – RaISe – Closing Remarks

3.20pm – Networking and Refreshments