Lawyers on Abortion

The Coalition of Lawyers for the Defence of the Unborn said the draft bill to decriminalize abortion in Jamaica might be unconstitutional.



A recommendation in the proposed law prescribing sanctions against medical personnel who refuse to terminate a pregnancy on the ground of conscience has also been sternly rejected by the group.



Attorney-at-law David Henry who represents the group raised the concern today during a presentation to the joint select committee of Parliament considering the report of the Abortion Policy Review Advisory Group.



Henry noted that while the Constitution contained no express statement on abortion, section 14 might be relevant to the issue.



Section 14 states that no person should be intentionally deprived of his life except in the execution of the sentence of the Court in respect of a criminal offence for which he has been convicted.



The anti-abortion activist also contended that if the unborn child is a person as contemplated within the Constitution, then it follows that any legislation impacting the right to life, which is not already in the Constitution, must be struck down.



Henry also took issue with the abortion policy review advisory group, which recommended sanctions for medical staff who refused to carry out a termination of pregnancy.



Committee member Andre Franklyn was not happy with the assertion that the members of the advisory group were evil.



In his response, Mr Henry said the comment was not intended to label any one as being evil.