INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Savita Halappanavar died of blood poisoning days after miscarrying in October 2012
(File)Ireland: Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian-origin dentist, who died in 2012 after her requests to
terminate a 17-week pregnancy were denied, has become a face of an abortion campaign in Ireland, which will hold a referendum on May 25 on
liberalising its abortion law.Ms Halappanavar had sought a pregnancy termination when told she was miscarrying, but the request was refused
an emergency termination due to Ireland's then strict anti-abortion laws
She died of blood poisoning days after miscarrying in October 2012.Ireland will decide by referendum on May 25 whether to repeal its
constitution's eighth amendment, one of the most severe abortion bans in the developed world
Approved by 67 percent of Irish voters in 1983, the eighth amendment grants a mother and unborn child an equal right to life
Seeking or providing an abortion in Ireland is punishable by up to 14 years in prison
Now, polling suggests that a majority may vote to repeal
That would clear the way for lawmakers to debate proposed legislation allowing abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and beyond
that in cases of fetal abnormalities or serious risks to the mother's health. Savita Halappanavar's case led to widespread public outcry
(File)The issue remains divisive
Several thousand people attended a series of anti-repeal rally in Dublin on Saturday
"Genuine health care is about saving lives, not ending them," activist Cora Sherlock told the crowd.Irish voters who favour liberalising
abortion laws maintain a strong lead with eight days to go until a referendum, but the gap over those who oppose the change is narrowing, an
opinion poll showed on Thursday.It is the first opportunity in 35 years to overhaul one of the world's strictest regimes, which has long
divided the once deeply Catholic nation. People at the #IBelieveHer campaign ahead of Ireland's vote.The Irish Times/MRBI poll found that
44 percent would vote to repeal an amendment to the constitution that enshrines the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child,
with 32 percent opposed.A further 17 percent are undecided, with 5 percent not intending to vote and 2 percent refusing to answer
Of the undecided voters, 31 percent said they were "leaning towards" repealing, with 24 percent leaning toward keeping the amendment.When
the same poll asked three weeks ago whether voters would support a change allowing the government to legislate for abortion on request up to
12 weeks - the regime it hopes to introduce after the vote - 47 percent were in favour and 28 percent against. Campaigners rally the
streets of Ireland in their Together For Yes rallyThe poll shows a strong conviction among those who have already decided with 65 percent
"absolutely never going to change my mind" and 22 percent "extremely unlikely to change my mind".Support for change was strongest among
younger voters, women and those living in urban voters.
