How an Indian woman's death led to a referendum in Ireland

Ireland votes today in a landmark referendum to decide whether the traditionally Catholic country should liberalise some of the strictest abortion laws in the world, which give unborn foetuses and mothers equal right to life. This effectively translates into a ban on abortion. Violations can invite up to 14 years in jail.

In 2012, the death of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian dentist, from complications following the hospital’s refusal to conduct an abortion to save her life triggered widespread outrage.

She died of septicemia on October 28, 2012, three days after she was admitted to the university hospital, Galaway, for treatment of a messy 17-week pregnancy that had left her in agony. But the doctors repeatedly rejected her pleas for an abortion, citing Ireland’s orthodox ban, leading to a worsening of her condition even when it was clear that the baby could not be saved.

In the wake of her death, an exception was subsequently introduced to the amendment in 2013 authorising abortion in cases where there was a mortal risk to the mother, including the risk of suicide. Her case is now being highlighted by campaigners in favour of a 'yes' vote.

Halappanavar's father Andanappa Yalagi said, "I hope the people of Ireland remember my daughter Savita on the day of the referendum, and that what happened to her won't happen to any other family."

"I think about her every day. She didn't get the medical treatment she needed because of the eighth amendment. They must change the law," he told The Guardian by phone from his home in Karnataka.

Source: Statista

The campaign has dominated public debate in Ireland over recent months and has forced its nearly 3.5 million voters to decide if the constitutional ban on abortion should stay or go. Opinion polls have suggested the result could be close, with large numbers of undecided voters hanging in the balance.

The law has been in force since 1983 when a referendum approved outlawing abortion and has prevented women from exercising their reproductive rights. In 1992, the government allowed women to go abroad for abortions after outrage over a rape victim who was denied abortion. As a result, thousands of women travelling each year to neighbouring Britain where terminations are legal, or increasingly turning to abortion pills sold online.

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s Indian-origin prime minister, who backs the reform, announced the referendum in June 2017. In what is seen as the first major test of his leadership since he took charge as 'Taoiseach' a year ago, Varadkar has been urging voters to ensure a high turnout in the referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution which severely restricts access to abortions.

Voters have until 10:00 pm (2000 GMT) on Friday to cast their ballots. The count will begin at 9:00 am on Saturday, with the result expected to be announced at Dublin Castle later in the day.

Ireland was traditionally one of the most religious countries in Europe. However, the Catholic Church's influence has waned in recent years following a series of child sex abuse scandals.

The referendum comes three years after Ireland voted to legalise same-sex marriage, in a seismic change for the EU nation.