THE EUROPEAN Court of Human Rights will next week issue a ruling on whether Ireland’s restrictions on abortion violate women’s human rights.

The ruling, which could have significant implications for Irish abortion law, is based on a case taken by three women in Ireland who say their health was put at risk by being forced to go abroad for abortions.

The court is due to issue its ruling at a public sitting of the court’s grand chamber next Thursday, rather than a more common written judgment.

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The women – supported by the Irish Family Planning Association – argued before the court last December that they were subject to indignity, stigmatisation and ill-health as a result of being forced to travel abroad for their abortions.

The Government, however, robustly defended the laws and said that Ireland’s abortion laws were based on “profound moral values deeply embedded in Irish society”.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1210/1224285194291.html