Unlike the rest of the United Kingdom, where it has been licensed since 1967, abortion was previously illegal in Northern Ireland unless the pregnancy threatened the mother's life. Same-sex marriage, allowed anywhere else in the country, was also prohibited. They are now authorized since Tuesday, October 22.

With no executive since January 2017 following a political-financial scandal, the British province of Northern Ireland has its political institutions currently at a standstill.

Taking advantage of this local political paralysis, Westminster MPs passed amendments in July to extend the right to abortion and same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland if no local government was formed by 21 October.

Same-sex first marriages should "no later than" take place "Valentine's Day 2020", according to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Julian Smith.

"WE ARE, the day we say goodbye to oppressive abortion laws that have controlled our bodies and denied us the right to have a choice," said Grainne Teggart, campaigner for Amnesty NGO in Northern Ireland, on Twitter.

"A very sad day"

To oppose it, North Irish deputies returned to sit Monday in the early afternoon to discuss the law, a mostly symbolic action. In fact, without the support of several parties, a Prime Minister and a Deputy Prime Minister can not be elected, and the law passed in London could not be blocked.

Among the parliamentarians present, members of the main unionist and ultraconservative DUP, opposed to any relaxation on these issues and led by the former Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster.

"It's a very sad day," she told reporters after the parliamentary session. "I know some people will want to party today and I say to them, 'Think of those of us who are sad today who feel it is an affront to human dignity and human life ".

Anti-abortion protesters were present near the North Irish assembly, some holding placards proclaiming "Abortion not in my name". Among the protesters, Bernadette Smyth, director of the Precious Life Northern Ireland group, lambasted the decision taken in London, which she considers "undemocratic and unfair".

A "good thing that happens"

Republican Party leader Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, called the Monday blocking attempt a "political coup".

Trevor Lunn, elected to the centrist Alliance party, also accused deputies returning to parliament of doing "swoon", saying they "only do it to try to deny women and LGBT people the rights they enjoy. guaranteed in the rest of the United Kingdom ".

Faced with anti-abortion protesters, protesters "pro-choice", favorable to changes in law, posed in front of Parliament in front of large white letters forming the word "Decriminalized".

For 24-year-old chef Jane Peaker, it's a "good thing it happens, maybe a little less than it did not come from our government" but from London, but "it's still a victory".

With AFP