"Abortion boat" crew may need bullet-proof vests
The vessel, registered in the Dutch port of Scheveningen, carries an operating theatre within a converted container attached to its deck.
While the group has said it does not intend carrying out surgical abortions, it is understood it may administer the abortion pill to pregnant Irish women under Dutch law while 12 miles offshore in international waters.
Lizet Kraal, one of the Dutch organisers of the trip, said she was ‘‘not anxious but excited’’ about their arrival and explained that security would be provided by women serving in the Irish army.
It had been reported that the crew may be issued with bullet-proof vests as protection against feared militant anti-abortion activity, which has so far failed to materialise.
John Smyth, spokesman for the Irish Pro Life campaign, described the exercise as a ‘‘publicity stunt’’.
He said: ‘‘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, adding: ‘‘We have called for our supporters to not do anything that would add to the publicity.
‘‘But we cannot guarantee that individuals won’t come down and ignore our calls and engage in militant action.’’
he group would not confirm reports that its members face four-and-a-half-year jail sentences in addition to a fine if they administer abortion pill RU486 and they do not have the necessary Dutch permit.
Spokeswoman Joke van Kampen said they intended campaigning for a change in the Irish law.
She said: ‘‘That is what we contribute, to stir 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.’’
Earlier in the week, Human Life International (Ireland) vowed to launch a rival boat offering a Pro Life alternative.
The vessel, of which no sign was seen tonight, would offer advice and spiritual guidance, while the group would also mount a prayer vigil both at the dock and around the country.
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.
A cross-party group of Irish MPs recently failed to agree on constitutional and legal changes to clarify the emotive issue.
