UK Parliament Nears Vote on Largest Abortion Decriminalization in 50 Years

The British Parliament is set to vote on landmark amendments to decriminalize abortion for women who self-manage terminations later in pregnancy, including beyond the current 24-week limit, marking the biggest change in abortion law in nearly 60 years. The two rival amendments, led by Labour MPs Tonia Antoniazzi and Stella Creasy, would prevent prosecution of women for ending their pregnancies at any stage, with Antoniazzi's amendment likely to be selected. While both would decriminalize abortion for women, they differ on the legal consequences for doctors performing late abortions, with one retaining criminal penalties and the other removing them. Supporters, including medical organizations, argue the reforms would protect women from criminal investigations and reduce health professional scrutiny, while critics, including over 1,000 doctors, warn the changes could lead to unsafe self-administered late-term abortions and allow sex-selective abortions, which are currently illegal. A commissioned legal opinion confirmed that the amendments could enable abortions at any gestation for any reason without prosecution, raising concerns about the implications for current safeguards and the Abortion Act of 1967. The vote represents a major shift in reproductive rights in England and Wales amid rising medication abortions and increased prosecutions of women under existing laws.