UN experts say a woman living in Ireland who was forced to choose between carrying a foetus to term knowing it wouldn’t survive, or seeking an abortion abroad was subjected to discrimination and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Independent experts attached to the UN Human Rights Committee say it was a direct result of Ireland’s legal prohibition on abortion and it is calling for changes to prevent this happening again.

The woman, known as A.M. was told in November 2011, while in the 21st week of her pregnancy, that her baby had congenital defects.

This meant it would die in the womb or shortly after birth.

The experts attached to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Committee say this meant she had to choose between continuing her non-viable pregnancy or travelling to another country while carrying a dying foetus, at personal expense and separated from the support of her family, and to return while not fully recovered.

A.M. travelled to the UK for a termination and returned 12 hours after the procedure as she could not afford to stay longer. The UK hospital did not provide any options regarding the foetus’s remains and she had to leave them behind. The ashes were unexpectedly delivered to her three weeks later by courier.

The Committee says Ireland is obliged to prevent similar violations from occurring and the State should amend its law on voluntary termination of pregnancy, including if necessary changing the constitution.