Coventry woman challenges Down's Syndrome abortion laws
Heidi Crowter is at the High Court today
Last updated 6th Jul 2021
A Coventry woman with Down's syndrome is at the High Court today, to challenge legislation which allows abortions up to birth for babies with the condition.
26 year-old Heidi Crowter is taking legal action against the Government because she believes the law is 'downright discrimination'.
She's been joined by 33 year-old Maire Lea-Wilson, mother of two from west London whose son Aidan has Down's syndrome.
In England, Wales and Scotland, there is a general 24-week time limit to have an abortion.
But terminations can be permitted up until birth if there is 'a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped', which includes Down's syndrome.
At a two-day High Court hearing, lawyers representing Ms Crowter and Ms Lea-Wilson will argue that the law as it stands is unlawfully discriminatory.
The pair, supported by the campaign group Don't Screen Us Out, are holding a demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London ahead of the first day of the landmark case on Tuesday.
In a statement before the hearing, Ms Crowter said:
'The law says that babies shouldn't be aborted up to birth, but if a baby is found to have Down's syndrome it can be aborted up until birth.
'This is the current law in the UK and I think it's not fair.
'People like me are considered to be 'seriously handicapped', but I think using that phrase for a clause in abortion law is so out of date.
'The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recently said that the United Kingdom should change its abortion law to make sure that people like me aren't singled out because of our disabilities, but the Government hasn't changed the law.
'I hope we win. People shouldn't be treated differently because of their disabilities, it's downright discrimination.'
Ms Lea-Wilson said:
'I have two sons that I love and value equally, but the law does not value them equally.
'This is wrong and so we want to try and change that.
'We proclaim that we live in a society which values those with disabilities, that everyone deserves a fair and equal chance at life, regardless of their ability status.'
The hearing before Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Lieven begins at 10.30am on Tuesday and is expected to conclude on Wednesday afternoon.