People's Democracy

AIDWA Demands Justice for Savita Halappanavar

The following is the press statement issued by the All India Democratic Women’s Association  on November 15:

 AIDWA is deeply dismayed by the refusal of the University Hospital in Galaway, Ireland, to conduct an abortion on 31 year old Savita Halappanavar, a dentist from India – leading to her death due to septicemia on November 11, 2012.  Savita had developed severe back pain in her seventeenth week of pregnancy, and suspecting a miscarriage, sought medical termination of the foetus, to save her life. Despite her repeated pleas that she was a Hindu, her request was turned down on the grounds that abortion was illegal in Catholic Ireland. 

It is inexcusable that a life has been lost by the implementation of a grossly unjust and unfair law which denies abortion even when the woman’s life is in imminent danger. This is a violation of both Indian and international law.  It is sad that despite her condition, the necessary medical attention was denied. 

AIDWA urges the government of India to strongly protest about the manner in which Dr Savita  has been treated by the medical authorities in Ireland, and urges that steps should be taken to ensure that the rights of Indian women are protected, within and outside the country.