Irish voters elect to overturn abortion ban

• Voters overwhelmingly chose to end the country’s constitutional ban on abortion, which had no exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal abnormality.
• The #RepealThe8th campaign challenged the constitutional amendment endowing the unborn with legal rights (ratified following a 1983 referendum), arguing that abortion has already been a reality in Ireland given its proximity to the U.K. and that access to safe treatment is a public health issue.
• Lawmakers will now introduce a bill to legalize the repeal officially, which is expected to be passed in the fall.

Read

“Abortion referendum count: ‘quiet revolution’ as Yes set for landslide win” (The Irish Times | May 2018)

“Irish abortion referendum: Exit polls suggest landslide for repeal” (BBC News | May 2018)

“Ireland ends abortion ban as ‘quiet revolution’ transforms country” (Reuters | May 2018)