Students' Forum- 22/01/2020

Support for Reproductive Justice (Trigger warning: Abortion)

Support for Reproductive Justice (Trigger warning: Abortion)

Proposer: Beth Lowe 

Seconder: Lauren Corelli 

Motion title: Support for Reproductive Justice (Trigger warning: Abortion) 

Section one: 'This Union Notes...' 

1. Previous Policy passed in 2014/15 supports 'Access to abortion in the North and South of Ireland' and resolved that this Union support activists across the island of Ireland fighting for reproductive justice. 

Section two: 'This Union Believes...' 

1.The term reproductive justice originates from ‘SisterSong’, an activist group comprised of women of colour in the United States 2.The group defines reproductive justice as the “human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities”. 3.The reproductive justice framework highlights: a. The frequent exclusion of people of colour from mainstream reproductive rights movements; b. The global history of coercive reproductive medical practices experienced by women of colours and disabled people and c. Current inequalities in access to reproductive healthcare due to cost or geographical location 4. Current immigration policy does not allow international students who may get pregnant during their studies, the ability to give birth in the UK 

5. Pregnant international students and any dependants will normally need to leave the UK and apply for a new Tier 4 entry clearance in order to return to the UK and resume their studies. If they do give birth in the UK, if they leave they are not allowed to return with their dependents. 6. The Tier 4 visa implications for international students who give birth in the UK promote a disregard for the human rights and family life of migrants and current policy denies them reproductive justice. 7. Solidarity between students’ unions played a part in the victory of grassroots activists in repealing the 8th Amendment in the Republic of Ireland and decriminalising abortion in Northern Ireland 8. Access to free, safe, legal and local abortion is a matter of reproductive justice and student welfare. 

Section three: 'This Union Resolves/ Mandates...' 

1.To support national and global campaigns for reproductive justice and the decriminalisation of abortion. 2.To support campaigns to reform current Tier 4 visa policy to allow international students, regardless of nationality, to be able to either give birth or access abortion services in the UK. 3.To support the Abortion Support Network and other organisations providing support to individuals who cannot access abortion services in their local area. 4.To ensure students can access clear, non-directive information about reproductive and sexual health services in their local area. 

Any other comments/thoughts you want to include 

https://www.goldsmithssu.org/pageassets/yourunion/governance/policies/Abortion-rights-in- Ireland.pdf https://www.sistersong.net/reproductive-justice