Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have voted to stop prosecuting women in England and Wales who end their pregnancies. The is a major change in how the country enforces its abortion laws.
Although the decision does not change existing abortion regulations, it shields women from being punished under criminal law.
Currently, the law allows termination of pregnancy only under strict conditions. A woman must receive consent from two doctors, and the procedure must occur within 24 weeks of pregnancy. Failing to meet these conditions can lead to prosecution and even life imprisonment under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
But public attention has recently shifted toward several court cases where women were arrested or jailed for ab0rtion-related offences. One of the most talked-about cases involved a woman who took prescribed ab0rtion pills at 26 weeks.
She said she had no idea how far along her pregnancy was. Another woman, Carla Foster, received a prison sentence in 2023 after using ab0rtion pills between 32 and 34 weeks. Her sentence was later suspended on appeal.
Parliament Moves to Protect Women’s Rights in Personal Health Decisions
On Tuesday, June 17, Members of Parliament voted in favour of an amendment that will prevent women from being charged with a crime for ending their pregnancies.
The amendment, tabled by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed by 242 votes. It must now go through the House of Lords before becoming law.
“Women are currently being arrested from hospital bed to police cell and facing criminal investigations on suspicion of ending their own pregnancy,” Antoniazzi said. “My amendment would put a stop to this. It’s the right amendment at the right time.”
While the Abortion Act of 1967 allows legal termination of pregnancy up to 23 weeks and six days, it still relies on the older 1861 criminal law. That outdated law treats self-managed abortions as a serious crime.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK made temporary changes, allowing women to take abortion pills at home up to 10 weeks. However, after 24 weeks, terminations are only allowed in very limited situations—such as when the mother’s life is at risk or the baby has severe health problems.
Backlash and Support Surround the Amendment
While about 50 organizations, including ab0rtion providers and women’s rights groups, have backed the amendment, some opposition remains. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said the measure posed “the greatest threat to unborn babies in decades.”
Antoniazzi responded by clarifying that the amendment does not affect the rules for healthcare providers or time limits for legal abortions. “Anyone who assists in an illegal abortion can still be prosecuted,” she added.
Police in the UK have reportedly investigated over 100 women for suspected illegal abortion in the past five years. Some of those women were dealing with miscarriages or stillbirths. Antoniazzi said, “This is just wrong. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money, a waste of the judiciary’s time, and not in the public interest.”
The Prime Minister also spoke on the matter. Keir Starmer said he supports “a woman’s right to a safe and legal ab0rtion.” Meanwhile, Scotland is reviewing its laws, and Northern Ireland decriminalized ab0rtion in 2019.
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