UK decriminalises abortions in England and Wales

BRITISH lawmakers made a historic decision this week by voting to decriminalise the termination of pregnancies after 24 weeks in England and Wales.

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This landmark amendment, which passed with a vote of 379 to 137, will prevent the criminal prosecution of individuals suspected of having unlawful abortions, marking a significant shift in abortion laws that have remained largely unchanged for decades.

Abortion in England and Wales is illegal under the 1861 Offences against the Person Act - a Victorian-era law that makes abortion a criminal offense that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. That bill was written at a time when women could not vote, own property after marriage, or access higher education.

The vote followed an increase in recent years in investigations and prosecutions of people suspected of having illegal abortions.

Many people, including residents, are surprised that abortion is technically illegal in England and Wales, given the widespread access to the procedure.

The amended 1967 Abortion Act carved out exceptions, allowing abortions at up to 24 weeks if approved by two doctors. But outside of specific criteria, it is still a criminal offense.

The vote will remove the criminal penalties for having an abortion, even outside of these parameters.