Lawmakers in the UK Decide to Remove Criminal Penalties for Abortion Until Birth

UK Lawmakers Endorse Significant Abortion Reforms

British lawmakers have taken a historic step by backing major changes to abortion laws, voting in favor of an amendment that would decriminalize abortion up to the moment of birth.

Currently, abortion is technically illegal in the UK but is decriminalized during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, except in situations where the mother’s life is endangered. It’s estimated that over 15 million abortions could legally occur in the UK and Wales each year under this framework.

On Tuesday afternoon, a significant vote took place, where 379 MPs supported amendments to the Crime and Police Bill, with only 137 voting against. This amendment decriminalizes abortions at any point for women in England and Wales. This change could effectively remove any legal repercussions for women terminating their pregnancies right up until birth.

Introduced by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, the law specifically excludes doctors and others who facilitate abortions beyond the 24-week limit.

“These women need care and support, not to be treated as criminals,” Antoniazzi expressed during the debate.

She further stated, “Each of these cases is a tragedy made possible by our outdated abortion laws. This Victorian legislation, enacted by all-male parliaments, is increasingly weaponized against vulnerable women and girls.”

While many view this move as progressive, it has faced backlash from pro-life advocates, including the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC).

“If this clause becomes law, women who choose to abort at any point will not be committing a criminal offense, even shortly before delivery,” said Alithea Williams, Public Policy Manager for SPUC. “The limited protections that have existed are now stripped away.”

The amendment proposed by Antoniazzi’s legislation did not incorporate competing measures from Labour MP Stella Creasy, who had sought additional amendments in the crime and police bill.

Creasy’s failed amendment aimed to establish abortion access as a human right and eliminate all restrictions set by the 1861 law.

As a key advocate for more liberal abortion laws in the UK, Creasy has also been a proponent of creating a so-called “buffer zone” to control protests, even limiting the ability to pray quietly outside abortion clinics.