The tragic case of Indian origin dentist Savitha Halappanavar, who died in Ireland of septicaemia after an abortion was refused, must open the world’s eyes to such remnants of medieval thinking in the 21st century.
Irish laws that allow a woman to die rather than allow an abortion even in a medical emergency — “as this is a Catholic country” — must be condemned outright. Six Irish governments have shied away from enacting a law to allow abortions at least in medical emergencies, such as when a mother’s life is threatened due to pregnancy problems (as in Savitha’s case).
Ireland’s health minister James Reilly, like politicians everywhere, takes refuge in doublespeak: “If there was any hesitation here because of moral or religious beliefs, that would be an extremely serious matter.” Yes, it is serious, and the minister must understand that his country’s laws are at fault — if a woman whose life could have been saved (if her unviable foetus was aborted) had to be sacrificed at the altar of bigotry.
What is the difference then between voodoo practices of some less developed regions and the “modern thinking” of the so-called first world? Ireland’s laws are among the strictest on abortion, even more than Saudi Arabia that relaxes the law when a woman’s life is at risk and her husband permits it. African nations are known to show compassion in such cases, or after rape or incest. Ireland must wake up and ensure such barbaric beliefs do not linger in its statute book.