Interview with (National Co-ordinator Mobilising Committee). Dalon DUT out a call-tor a Natonaribunal on Women's Abortion Rights? The reconvening of the Select Committee afterar by vhs relignat eot she sily in February was Tollowed very pro-abortion MPs -an-abonion rumo.at tnat time NaG together with other pro-abortion organisations, decided that they were going to Dovcor mis biase• select committee whose recommendations could only be restrictive and not in the interests of arose the need for an alternative forum for the sort of evidence wien we ren wouid mustrate more tuly the demand for a woman's right to not to abortion. On that basis we proposed the notion of the Tribunal, which would be in contrast to the Select Committee - in both its nature and composition.
evidence, amtracting based on evidence that has been ¡cavine a largoly very nature it wouid be in direct opposition to the Select Committee It will be held at Central Hall, Westminster on 29 January. It's a one-day event, beginning alt am get?
We are aiming for a very broad front of support. women's movement. ment, and all other bodies that are interested in our demands concerned that cnoose snoule se extendea many well-known campaign, tions with links with the woren's movement, and we have approached many trade union brancaes ane executve committees to support the Tribunal -ine committee to berene tne yor abor tion Act, which is a very influential body within the pro-abortion lobby ciudes tne Natonal which Joyce Gould of the Women's Ad visory commitee or tne Labour Party is involved.
There is a Tribunal Mobilising Committee which is based Campaign offices N1. This is an all-London Committee at the moment, Tuesday evening. It is an open committee plea for many possible to come and lend their support Tor tne moblising Committee mittee operates in waicn severa suo-commitees are res ponsible for several areas. So we have a committee to collate evidence that has been presentec to us. we aiso nave one to approach speakers, etc will be presented?
and others in which we feel there is room for further information to help build up a more situation nationally.
DONSC We proposed to mount an open day of •mousanos.to ques and bractice cam- the role ot tre satons nave Where is the Tribunal going to be held?
What kind of support are you hoping to build up a very tne labour move and that are WOHlA HOHE At the moment we have the support of Tigures in will obviously verious organisa We also have the support of 'Co-ord' - local National and Joint Council of Organisations How is the Tribunal being organised?
at the National Abortion at 30 Camder hodu • obviously we woula uke to extena a men as At the moment the Mobilising Comas a sort of an umbrella one for publicity, What kind of evidence do you think we We have suggested areas to local groups conerent picture or tne abortion The kind of reswe are getting from groups that tals - the experiments carried out on woren with regard to abortion techniOther areas include Churcn ano ine anti , the education system, and -Tnaт the foothold which anti-abortion organiwitnin speciTic SCHOOIS More generally we are also taking up the way in which images of women are ac tually conveyed witnin text books and tne And already the response seems to inoicate mnal we are colne to oe abie tc broad and coherent picture of the abortion facilities generally avalaoie in te current situation So will the Tribunal concentrate on the situaton in Inis CounTry!
Yes, but we also hope to have an international section where we can get a clear picture of the situation and the struggles women are facing in other countries. This our COWE Situaon dne our owH sractce Apart from coming to the Mobilising Committee. what can people do? Most obviously, get in touch with your Abortion Campaign am sure mey neeo any support ney Gar