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<p>In accordance with the duty placed on the Government under section 9 of the Northern
Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019, regulations are now in place to make
provision for accessing abortions in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>The Northern
Ireland Assembly has not opposed the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations
2020.</p><p> </p><p>The debate in the Assembly on 2 June 2020 was focused on one aspect
of those regulations, severe fetal impairment, and does not have any binding effects
on the Regulations we have made.</p><p> </p><p>The Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No.
2) Regulations 2020 have now been debated in both Houses of Parliament as required
under the ‘made affirmative’ procedure and approved by the House of the Lords. The
House of Commons will today vote on the Regulations to approve them to remain in force
as the law on access to abortion in Northern Ireland.</p><p> </p><p>As abortion remains
a devolved issue in Northern Ireland, the Assembly remains able to legislate on abortion,
subject to the usual Assembly and other procedures, including compliance with the
European Convention on Human Rights. The UK Government will continue to ensure we
abide by our domestic and international legal obligations.</p><p> </p>
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