The Court of Appeal in Belfast has decided that the law on abortion is ultimately a political question that should be decided upon by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The law in the six counties is particularly controversial as the pro-life campaign has significant political influence. This means that abortion is limited to only very specific circumstances.

To give one well-publicised example, one of the appellants, Sarah Ewart had to go to England for an abortion after doctor’s declared that her unborn child would not be able to survive outside of the womb.

The main argument relates to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and in particular a woman’s right to autonomy. Human rights are an issue for the government of the United Kingdom and so success would force a change in the law.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has announced that it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court in London.