Amnesty International has issued a fresh call for reform of Northern Ireland’s abortion laws following reports a woman has been charged by police for use of abortion pills.

According to BBC reports, the woman was reported to police and charged after seeking medical help following the illegal termination.

Medical staff in Northern Ireland have a legal duty to provide police with information that could lead to “the apprehension, prosecution, or conviction” of anyone involved in an illegal abortion procedure.

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland programme director at Amnesty International, has criticised “the prosecution of women and girls for seeking healthcare”.

In a statement issued today, Mr Corrigan said: “It is horrifying that yet another woman is to be hauled before the courts in Northern Ireland for taking abortion pills which are prescribed free, safely and legally in every other part of the UK. A woman who needs an abortion is not a criminal. The law should not treat her as such.

“This latest prosecution reveals, yet again, that making abortion illegal does not stop women in Northern Ireland needing or seeking terminations.

“Those who can afford it, travel to England for the treatment they need - 833 women that we know of made that journey from Northern Ireland last year. Those that can’t afford it, may take medication in an attempt to terminate their pregnancy – without medical supervision or support and under threat of criminal prosecution.

“Instead of overseeing the prosecution of women and girls for seeking healthcare, Northern Ireland Executive Ministers should bring our abortion laws into line with international human rights standards.”