Down’s syndrome campaigners take UK Govt to High Court over abortion law

A woman with Down’s syndrome has been given permission to challenge the current law on abortion at the High Court.

Heidi Crowter and fellow campaigner Máire Lea-Wilson say the law discriminates against unborn babies with the condition.

In the UK, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks for most reasons but is available up to birth for children deemed to have a ‘severely life-limiting condition’ – including Down’s syndrome.

‘Better off dead’

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Heidi said: “The current law is unfair. It makes me feel like I shouldn’t exist, and that I’d be better off dead in the eyes of the law.

“The policy basically says that it’s normal for a baby with Down’s syndrome to be terminated right up until birth.”

She added: “I feel amazing knowing that the case is going to be heard in the High Court.”

It makes me feel like I shouldn’t existHeidi Crowter

Paul Conrathe, the lawyer representing the women, said: “This case addresses a matter that is fundamentally offensive and discriminatory — that unborn babies with a disability, and in this case Down’s syndrome, should be aborted up to birth.”

In the UK, abortions are legal after the normal 24-week limit if Down’s syndrome is detected. Heidi Crowter says abortion laws that allow discrimination against foetuses with disabilities must be changed.

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— SkyNews (@SkyNews) October 18, 2020

Shocking statistics

According to the Department of Health and Social Care, between January and June 2020 “there were 339 mentions of Down’s Syndrome” on abortion notification forms.

In Great Britain, around 92 per cent of those diagnosed with Down’s syndrome in the womb are aborted.

UK abortion giant the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said it opposed “any attempt to stop women from making their own decisions about whether or not to continue a pregnancy”.