U.K. to Decriminalize Abortion Over Prosecution Concerns

The U.K has proceeded to decriminalize the abortion after parliament voted to amend a crime bill that would have made it possible to prosecute the woman who terminated a pregnancy. This ruling is informed by the issue of criminalization of women and those who had gone through miscarriages due to natural causes or stillbirths. The amendment, which was passed vastly in the House of Commons to be effective in ousting women in the criminal justice system and to be more supported in times of need.

Context

• The U.K. is reviewing the way it treats abortion laws to allow women to have abuse of the abortion laws without being prosecuted. 

• This is in the wake of prosecutions of over 100 women over the past few years on suspicion of conducting illegal abortion and some of the women even experiencing miscarriage or still births.

Key Points

Decriminalization of Abortion:

• Historic vote: Members of the British Parliament voted in favor of a vote to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales through an amendment of a wider crime bill.

• No More Prosecution: The amendment means that women will not be prosecuted criminally because of terminating pregnancy, especially women who experience natural miscarriages or stillbirth.

Women Prosecution Apprehensions:

• Police Investigatory Cases: In the last five years, more than 100 women were investigated because they were suspected in violating the rules of prohibited abortion, and many of them had experienced miscarriages or stillbirths.

• The Case Made by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, the proposer of the amendment, stated that the prosecution of women is cruel and women require assistance and not punishment.

Legislative Process

• Passing of Amendment: Amendment was voted in the house of Commons with score of 379 to 137.

• Next Steps: This crime bill, with the amendment, will come up to the vote in the House of Commons, then go to the House of Lords, to review.

Abortion Laws in U.K.:

• Status: In England, Scotland, and Wales, the current law allows abortion till 24 weeks with certain special circumstances above this limit.

• COVID-19 Shifts: Now women have access to having the abortion pills via mail and self-perform their abortion at home during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

• Northern Ireland: In 2019, abortion became decriminalized in Northern Ireland.

Political resistance of Decriminalization:

• Anti-abortion groups: One of the key arguments being brought forward by the anti-abortion groups is that the decriminalization of abortion will enable abortion on demand at any point in time during the pregnancy and it would eliminate protection to unborn infants.

• International Situation: This ruling goes along with a larger trend in certain nations to review abortion codes and ensure women have the freedom of reproductive health services without the threat of prosecution.

Conclusion:

The decriminalization of abortion in the U.K. is one step closer to the reproductive health laws becoming more patient-friendly and patient-oriented. This reform is aimed at keeping women out of criminal charges especially those who are vulnerable and rather focus more on care and support in an already hard time. Although the move has been met with a counter allegation by pro-life lobby groups, it is an indication of how abortion rights have continually evolved in the U.K.