MPs Push to Decriminalize Abortion in England and Wales

MPs Push to Decriminalize Abortion in England and Wales Nearly 60 members of Parliament from across the political spectrum in England and Wales are calling for the decriminalization of abortion. Their efforts center on amending the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which currently makes abortion a criminal offense unless approved by two doctors before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This has led to an unprecedented number of women being investigated by police on suspicion of illegally ending pregnancies, according to a recent BBC investigation. The amendment, spearheaded by Labour MPs, seeks to remove the criminal element from abortion procedures performed before 24 weeks of gestation. The MPs argue that the current law is outdated and disproportionately impacts vulnerable women who may have experienced miscarriages or stillbirths. They want to create a more compassionate and supportive legal framework. "There is simply no world in which prosecuting a vulnerable woman who may have experienced a medical complication, miscarriage or stillbirth is the right course of action," said Labour MP Antoniazzi, a key figure in the campaign for decriminalization. This sentiment reflects the growing concern among many MPs about the current legal framework's impact on women's health and well-being. The success of this amendment will depend on the support it receives from other MPs and the government's response. However, the significant number of MPs already backing the initiative signals a growing momentum towards reforming the outdated 1861 law and creating a more just and equitable system for women's reproductive rights in England and Wales.