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A High Court judge is today due to give his decision on whether the human rights of women in Northern Ireland are being breached by current laws on abortions.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) went to the High Court in June arguing that women pregnant as a result of rape or incest, or those with seriously malformed unborn babies, should be allowed to have a termination.

The NIRC took the judicial review against the Department of Justice in an effort to relax the laws relating to abortions in Northern Ireland.

At the moment, an abortion can only be carried out if continuing with the pregnancy would kill the woman, or there is a risk of a serious and adverse effect on her long term physical or mental health.

Anyone who carries out an illegal abortion in Northern Ireland faces life behind bars.

According to most recent official figures, 23 abortions were carried out in hospitals in Northern Ireland in 2013/14.

The majority of the terminations were carried out on women over the age of 30, eight were performed on women between 25 and 29 and four on women under 24-years-old.

It is not known how many women travel from Northern Ireland to mainland UK for a termination each year.

Today’s judgement - whether it is in favour of a change in the law or not - is likely to be controversial and could set the Executive on a collision course with the judiciary.

The judge may order the Department of Justice to change the legislation but the matter will still require Executive approval.

However, the Executive could block any attempt to change the conditions under which abortions can be performed , depending on party membership at the time the legislation comes before them for approval.

Further legal action, including fines, may be required to force the Executive to approve new legislation.

In addition, any party involved in the judicial review - NIHRC, DoJ and the Attorney General - can appeal today’s expected ruling.

Earlier this year, Sinn Fein dropped its historic opposition to abortion at its annual congress.

The party voted in March to support terminations in limited cases, such as pregnant women with fatal foetal abnormalities.

Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, said at the time: “I have listened very intently to testimony from parents dealing with fatal foetal abnormalities.

“We have to be very compassionate about this.

“Obviously, there are some women who want to continue with their pregnancy to full term and we need to support them, but there are others who feel they are not able to do that and we need to deal with both groups with the absolute maximum of support.”