Statement from Amanda Mellet
I am
profoundly grateful to the Human Rights Committee for its decision and its
clear recognition that my human rights were violated as a result of Ireland’s
prohibition and criminalisation of abortion.
The
decision not only vindicates my rights. It also serves to uphold the rights of
many other women in Ireland who have faced and continue to face human rights
violations under the current legal regime. The Human Rights Committee has made
it clear that to redress the violations that I suffered, the Irish Government
must ensure that other women do not live through similar violations of their
rights. This cannot happen until Article 40.3.3 is repealed, until abortion is
decriminalised and legislation is adopted to enable women to access services in
Ireland.
With
today’s decision in hand, I wish to finally leave behind these painful
memories, and hearing the Committee’ findings today does help in my own
healing, but my most sincere hope is that it may assist Ireland’s government in
finding the courage to make the necessary changes in law. I hope the day will
soon come when women in Ireland will be able to access the health services they
need in our own country, where we can be with our loved ones, with our own
medical team, and where we have our own familiar bed to go home and cry in.
Subjecting women to so much additional pain and trauma simply must not
continue.
Finally, I
ask that the media respect my wish for privacy for myself and my husband James,
who has supported me every step of the way.