New Delhi: Amid growing protests over the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, Ireland’s Prime Minister Enda Kenny has said that he would not rush into a decision on abortion laws.

Savita had died after being denied an abortion in an Irish hospital.

“I’m not going to be rushed into the situation by force of numbers on any side. This is something which needs to be treated rationally and openly and truthfully, and that’s what will happen,” Kenny said.

Meanwhile, observing that the tragic death of the Indian dentist illustrates a gap in Irish law rights group Amnesty has asked Ireland to ensure that its domestic policy on access to abortion is in line with international human rights law.

Amnesty International has written to Irish Minister for Health James Reilly over the issue expressing its concern. It said Amnesty is concerned that the tragic case of Savita illustrates a gap in Irish law and policy on the most basic human rights level — that is a woman’s right to access abortion where her life is at risk.

“International human rights law is clear about the right of a woman to access a safe and legal abortion where her life is at risk,” said Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International in Ireland.

“Successive Irish governments have failed in their duty to provide the necessary clarity on how this right is protected and vindicated, leaving women in Ireland in a very vulnerable position. Government must offer this clarity without further delay,” he said.

Noting this right has already been established as a Constitutional principle by the Irish Supreme Court, the body expressed concern about lack of clarity on the issue. “Ireland has been subject to criticism from international human rights bodies for its failure to bring domestic legislation in line with international human rights principles, including a very clear ruling from the European Court of Human Rights,” said Marianne Mollmann, senior policy advisor at Amnesty International Secretariat.

Savita, a 31-year old Indian dentist after doctors refused to terminate her pregnancy even after telling her that she was miscarrying. The incident has reignited the debate over right to abortion in cases of risk in the Catholic country.