Ireland pledges to clarify abortion law, India summons Irish envoy
18 Nov 2012 4:51 AM IST
Voicing concern and angst over the death of an Indian woman after doctors in Ireland denied her an abortion, India Friday summoned Irish Ambassador Feilim McLaughlin and hoped that the inquiry into the tragedy would be independent.
The Irish envoy was summoned by M. Ganapathi, secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry.
During his meeting with the Irish ambassador, Ganapathi expressed India's concern and angst about the untimely and tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, official sources said here.
Ganapthi stressed that people in India were unhappy that ‘a young life had come to an untimely end’. Halappanavar arrived Oct 21 with back pain at Galway University Hospital in Ireland where she was found to be miscarrying at 17 weeks. She died of septicaemia 28 Oct.
Doctors in the hospital refused to abort her foetus on grounds that ‘this is a Catholic country’. Ganapathi expressed the hope that the inquiry would be independent and that the Indian ambassador in Dublin would be kept informed of its progress and outcomes, said the sources. The Irish envoy assured full cooperation. He also indicated that the terms of reference for the inquiry are being framed and would be released shortly.
Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi stressed that a high-level inquiry should be done and the culprits brought to book. The government was ready to give all assistance, including legal, to the family of the victim, said Ravi. Ireland’s government pledged on Thursday to clarify its abortion laws after an Indian woman who was refused a termination died from blood poisoning in an Irish hospital.
Thousands took to the streets to protest on Wednesday in Dublin after news broke of the death of Savita Halappanavar of septicaemia following a miscarriage 17 weeks into her pregnancy.
The Irish envoy was summoned by M. Ganapathi, secretary (west) in the external affairs ministry.
During his meeting with the Irish ambassador, Ganapathi expressed India's concern and angst about the untimely and tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, official sources said here.
Ganapthi stressed that people in India were unhappy that ‘a young life had come to an untimely end’. Halappanavar arrived Oct 21 with back pain at Galway University Hospital in Ireland where she was found to be miscarrying at 17 weeks. She died of septicaemia 28 Oct.
Doctors in the hospital refused to abort her foetus on grounds that ‘this is a Catholic country’. Ganapathi expressed the hope that the inquiry would be independent and that the Indian ambassador in Dublin would be kept informed of its progress and outcomes, said the sources. The Irish envoy assured full cooperation. He also indicated that the terms of reference for the inquiry are being framed and would be released shortly.
Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi stressed that a high-level inquiry should be done and the culprits brought to book. The government was ready to give all assistance, including legal, to the family of the victim, said Ravi. Ireland’s government pledged on Thursday to clarify its abortion laws after an Indian woman who was refused a termination died from blood poisoning in an Irish hospital.
Thousands took to the streets to protest on Wednesday in Dublin after news broke of the death of Savita Halappanavar of septicaemia following a miscarriage 17 weeks into her pregnancy.
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