No sign of protesters as 'abortion ship' arrives
The Dutch vessel dubbed the ‘‘abortion ship’’ has begun its controversial 10-day visit to Ireland with crew claiming that women seeking to terminate their pregnancies in the state were having their human rights violated.
But the anticipated pro-life protesters failed to materialise as the 100ft converted fishing trawler Aurora, equipped to carry out on-board abortions, docked in Dublin’s River Liffey last night.
After its four-day voyage from Holland round the coast of England, it is expected to dispense contraceptives and family planning advice in Dublin and Cork.
But the Amsterdam-based Women On Waves Foundation, which organised the trip, would not confirm whether staff would carry out abortions, illegal in the Republic apart from in exceptional circumstances.
Spokeswoman Joke van Kampen said they intended campaigning for a change in the Irish law.
She said: ‘‘That is what we contribute, to steer discussion, to have all the events on board - the workshop, to talk to parliamentarians - to support the Irish groups who have been fighting for this for years and years and years.
‘‘We consider the lack of safe and accessible abortions as a violation of the human rights of women.’’
The vessel, registered in the Dutch port of Scheveningen, carries an operating theatre within a converted container attached to its deck and it is understood that, while there are no plans to carry out surgical abortions, pregnant Irish women may be given an abortion pill while 12 miles offshore in international waters.
Earlier this week, Human Life International (Ireland) vowed to launch a rival boat offering a Pro Life alternative.
The vessel, of which no sign was seen last tonight, would offer advice and spiritual guidance, while the group would also mount a prayer vigil both at the dock and around the country.
John Smyth, spokesman for the Irish Pro-Life campaign, described the Aurora as a ‘‘publicity stunt’’, saying: ‘‘We feel that it is not going to help women in crisis pregnancies in any way.
‘‘There is already a debate under way in Ireland on the issue, there has been for a number of years, and we see Woman on Waves as a distraction from that - any debate is helpful but raising hysteria is not.’’
He said his organisation had not planned direct protest, which would stir publicity, but admitted he could not rule out individuals engaging in militant action.
It had been reported that the crew may be issued with bullet-proof vests as protection against feared militant anti-abortion activity.
Lizet Kraal, from Women on Waves, claimed security would be provided by women serving in the Irish army.
In a landmark ruling in 1992, Ireland’s supreme court upheld the right of a suicidal 14-year-old who had been raped to have an abortion and in a referendum that year voters rejected plans to ban abortions for women threatening suicide.
