British lawmakers voted on Tuesday to prevent women from being prosecuted for having an abortion in England and Wales, marking a significant legal change that distinguishes the country from the United States on this contentious issue.
The vote, which passed with a count of 370 to 137, will largely decriminalize abortions performed after the current 24-week limit, although medical professionals assisting in these procedures may still face prosecution. This amendment seeks to update laws rooted in the Victorian era.
This decision comes amid ongoing debates over abortion rights in the United States, particularly following the Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to revoke the constitutional right to abortion.
Public opinion in Britain, however, appears supportive of abortion rights, with surveys indicating that approximately 88 percent of the population believes women should have the right to choose.
Currently, while abortion is legally permitted under certain conditions due to the Abortion Act of 1967, it remains a crime under the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861. The law stipulates that a termination must be authorized by two doctors and can only occur after 24 weeks in dire circumstances.
Advocates for legal change argue that the existing law is outdated and that abortion should be treated as a healthcare issue rather than a criminal act. They also highlight concerns over recent prosecutions of women for terminating pregnancies outside legal parameters.
The amendment, proposed by Labour Party lawmaker Tonia Antoniazzi, aims to prevent investigations or prosecutions of women who terminate their pregnancies, positioning them as potential victims rather than criminals. A separate amendment requiring in-person consultations for abortion pill prescriptions was rejected.
Opponents of the amendment, such as the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, argue that it poses a substantial threat to unborn children and could lead to further liberalization of abortion laws. Supporters, including various medical organizations, contend that decriminalization would align protections for women in England and Wales with those available in other countries.
Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, emphasized the importance of regulating abortion under medical standards rather than criminal sanctions.