London, (EFE).- The United Kingdom Parliament voted on Tuesday in favor of an amendment to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales at any stage of pregnancy, eliminating the risk of prison for women who terminate pregnancies outside current legal limits.
The amendment passed in the House of Commons by 379 votes to 137 and will now proceed to the House of Lords for final approval.
It was presented as part of the Criminal Justice Bill by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and described by many as a “historic step” for women’s rights.
Under the current 1967 Abortion Act, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
However, the underlying 1861 Offences Against the Person Act still criminalizes abortion outside those parameters, with penalties of up to life imprisonment unless the woman’s life is at risk.
“This law is from the Victorian era, passed by an all-male Parliament. It’s outdated and being used more and more against vulnerable women,” Antoniazzi told MPs. “These women need care and support, not criminalization.”
Women’s Rights advocates hail reform
The so-called “Antoniazzi Clause” seeks to ensure that women are not investigated, arrested, or prosecuted for having abortions beyond the legal time limit.
Crucially, it does not alter the current provisions on how abortion services are delivered, including the time limit, medical requirements, or the need for approval from two doctors.
According to official statistics, over 250,000 abortions were carried out in England and Wales in 2022. Nearly 99% occurred before 20 weeks of pregnancy, Antoniazzi said, arguing that the remaining 1% of women often found themselves “in desperate circumstances.”
She also criticized the three known cases between 1861 and 2022 in which women were arrested for illegal abortions.
“It is a farce that women still face legal threats based on a 19th-century law,” she said during the Commons debate.
The amendment received cross-party support and was treated as a conscience issue, meaning MPs were free to vote according to their personal beliefs, rather than party lines.
Critics warn of health risks
Despite strong backing from many MPs, the amendment faced opposition from several Conservative lawmakers.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, along with MP Caroline Johnson, voiced concerns about potential risks.
“The later an abortion occurs, the more medical complications may arise,” Johnson warned. “We must ensure we protect women’s health as well as unborn children.”
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) labeled the amendment “extreme and dangerous,” claiming it would “effectively decriminalize all abortions.”
However, rights advocates insist that legal reforms are necessary to protect women from unjust prosecution. “This vote is a turning point for reproductive rights in the UK,” said a spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.
The bill now moves to the House of Lords, where it will face further scrutiny before potentially becoming law. EFE
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