Media Release 16th April 2014
Right to Life asks why a doctor who has committed a serious crime has not been brought before the Court?
The doctor called Dr N was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal for breaches of the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977, and for prescribing the drug Misoprostol unlawfully to four women for the purpose of terminating the lives of their unborn children. The drug acts by causing uterine contractions resulting in the death of the child in the womb. Doctor N has been granted permanent name suppression by the High Court.
The Tribunal suspended Dr N from practicing for six months last year and imposed a number of other requirements concerning the conduct of her practice. The Tribunal found that the doctor had acted unlawfully in breach of the Contraception Sterilisation Act 1977. The Act requires that abortions may be authorised by two certifying consultants appointed by the Abortion Supervisory Committee and that pregnancy counselling be available and offered. The law also requires that abortions take place only in a facility licensed to perform abortions. These requirements are there to protect the health and welfare of women and to protect the right to life of unborn children.
It is a serious crime to kill an unborn child. The Crimes Act 1961, section 183 states that anyone who unlawfully administers any poison or drug to any women for the purpose of procuring a miscarriage is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. Why then are criminal charges not being heard in Court?
Four children in the womb have had their lives unlawfully and violently terminated by Dr N. This is a violation of the children’s inalienable human rights, the foundation right being a right to life. The lives and welfare of her four patients were placed in danger by the actions of Dr N. Right to Life has a degree of sympathy for Dr N who claimed that she was suffering from stress from a very busy practice. Dr N may well have been sincere in endeavouring to do her best for four of her patients who were faced with a crisis pregnancy.
The Tribunal has completed its proceedings in this serious and tragic case. Right to Life contacted the Tribunal and was advised that it was not the duty of the Tribunal to refer this matter to the Police. It is important that the criminal law be respected and upheld. Right to Life asks, then whose responsibility is it to ensure that justice is done and that these crimes against the unborn are dealt with in a Court of law.
Ken Orr
Spokesperson,
Right to Life
Phone 03 3856111
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