Belfast, UK, Oct 25, 2007 / 11:27 am (CNA).- The Northern Ireland Assembly has passed a motion refusing to draft guidelines on abortion that would have changed how the law against abortion is interpreted.  The proposed guidelines would have effectively legalized abortion "through the back door."

The group Precious Life lobbied heavily for the measure.  It presented petitions signed by 120,000 people to the Northern Ireland Assembly. 

Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth praised the broad support the motion received.  "Today, our Assembly Members -- Catholic and Protestant, Unionist and Nationalist -- represented the people of Northern Ireland by coming together to unite in their opposition to abortion," she said.

Stressing the importance of the decision, she continued: "the passing of this motion has sent out a clear, unanimous message to the Government in Westminster, and indeed to the world, that the people of Northern Ireland will stand for nothing less than the protection for our unborn babies and their mothers from abortion."

"This was a victory for our unborn children," Ms. Smyth declared.

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