UK Parliament Moves to Decriminalise Abortion
In a historic shift, the UK Parliament has voted overwhelmingly to decriminalise abortion across the United Kingdom and Wales, overturning legislation rooted in the 19th century. This momentous decision marks the most significant reform in abortion laws there in six decades.
Removing Criminal Risk for Women
Abortion has been legally permissible in the UK and Wales for the past 60 years, typically restricted to within 24 weeks of pregnancy and requiring approval from two doctors. However, until now, women terminating pregnancies after 24 weeks faced a risk of criminal prosecution, with penalties including life imprisonment under Victorian-era statutes.
The recent amendment, which passed with 379 votes in favor against 137 opposing, aims to end investigations and criminal charges against women seeking abortions beyond the 24-week limit. The reform was championed by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who emphasized the need for compassion and justice in such deeply personal circumstances.
"No woman facing one of the hardest moments of her life should face a criminal investigation. Today we have the opportunity to change that," Antoniazzi remarked during parliamentary debate.
Legal Boundaries and Ongoing Penalties
It is important to note, however, that while the reform removes criminal liability from women themselves, the law continues to penalise those who assist women in obtaining abortions outside the legal framework—this includes medical professionals involved in unlawful procedures.
Though prosecutions under abortion laws have traditionally been rare, authorities have noted an increase in cases following changes during the pandemic, when regulations allowed women to take abortion pills at home within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Calls to End Misuse of Outdated Laws
MP Antoniazzi highlighted troubling instances where the existing laws were used to investigate women who had given birth prematurely or were coerced into abortion by abusive partners. According to reports, over 100 women have faced such investigations in the last five years alone.
"Each one of these cases is a travesty enabled by our outdated abortion law. This is not justice, it is cruelty and it has got to end," she stated emphatically.
