The MHK responsible for the Abortion Reform Act has urged the government to defend women’s rights against minority groups opposing the change.

Royal assent was granted to Dr Alex Allinson’s legislation last week. It is now just a case of setting a date for the new law to take effect.

Pro-choice supporters such as the Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation and Handmaids Isle of Man welcomed the news.

But it was branded a ’wicked’ law by anti-abortion group Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform.

Dr Allinson said: ’The Department of Health and Social Care now has the responsibility to deliver a service to women on the island that will be among the best in the world.

’This progress is long overdue and should be cherished, respected and defended.’

He added: ’History has shown that women’s healthcare rights have to be fought for and protected.

’Minority anti-abortion movements have been emboldened by political changes in America and pose a challenge to our healthcare system and the NHS.’

The Ramsey MHK continued: ’While I completely respect all viewpoints on the issue of abortion, MHKs, as part of a representative democracy, have a duty to craft laws which serve the people of our island. During the course of debates this legislation has been amended and added to.

’We will be the first jurisdiction in the British Isles to change abortion from a criminal act to an essential aspect of women’s healthcare.’

Screening

HEAR claimed the bill enabled sex-selective abortion, worsened disability discrimination and enabled ’informally eugenic screening out of babies with impairments’.

It raised fears about the protection of health workers with a conscientious objection. But Dr Allinson rejected the claims.

’We will be the first to guarantee the availability of impartial counselling; respecting a woman’s choice, autonomy and consent,’ he said.

’We will be the first to specifically prohibit abortion just on the basis of sex and strengthen the rights of healthcare workers who do not want to take part in abortion services due to moral or religious beliefs.’

He said that, for decades, women in the island had been left ’isolated, unsupported and exiled to the UK to arrange their own private termination’.

He added: ’Evidence shows that jurisdictions with better access to services actually have a lower abortion rate.

’With the ability for women to receive counselling and treatment on the island pressures are taken off them so that they have the time and space to make the right decision.’

Terminations

Under the new law, abortion will be permitted upon request up to 14 weeks, under specified circumstances including ’serious social grounds’ during the 15-24-week period, and in certain emergency or serious situations after 24 weeks.

Provision has also been included to create ’access zones’ around medical centres to protect women and medics from harassment.

Under the old law, termination was legal up to 24 weeks where medical practitioners considered there was substantial risk the child would not survive birth, would die shortly afterwards or would be seriously handicapped.

Pregnancies resulting from rape, incest or sexual assault could be terminated up to 12 weeks, but women had to provide an affidavit attesting to the cause of the pregnancy.

Terminations on social grounds were not allowed.

An appointed day order, setting when the new law will take effect, is expected at the March Tynwald.

One reform campaigner who, during the public debate shared her own traumatic circumstances to argue the case for change, welcomed the new law and urged the government to enact it as soon as possible.

Deborah McCann said: ’I really hope that this will be soon and that the all the services offered under this incredible piece of legislation will be available from day one.

’I am very relieved that this has finally happened.

’This final law is everything that I had hoped for and more.’

She added: ’I genuinely believe that never has a law been so well drafted, researched and thoroughly debated and scrutinised.

’This law is both progressive and compassionate.’