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Jennifer McKiernan, a political reporter, covers breaking news from Parliament. A recent landmark vote has resulted in a significant change to abortion laws in England and Wales. MPs overwhelmingly voted to decriminalize abortion procedures to prevent women from being prosecuted for ending their pregnancies. This historical move marks the first major shift in abortion legislation in nearly six decades.
Under the new law, women in England and Wales can now terminate their pregnancies without fear of prosecution, even if they do so outside the standard regulations, such as after the 24-week mark. However, individuals who assist women in obtaining abortions outside the legal framework, including medical professionals, will still face penalties under the law. Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi played a crucial role in presenting the amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, which ultimately gained majority support in a 242-vote margin.
The existing abortion law in England and Wales allows for abortions up to 24 weeks, with provisions for cases where a woman’s life is at risk. Moreover, women can opt for medication-induced abortions at home within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The debate in Parliament highlighted the need to provide care and support for the small fraction of women facing desperate circumstances, as opposed to subjecting them to criminal scrutiny. This amendment, championed by Antoniazzi, was widely supported by 379 MPs, indicating a positive step towards reproductive rights for women.
Despite the overwhelming support for the Antoniazzi amendment, further proposed amendments, such as Stella Creasey’s call to enshrine abortion access as a human right, were met with different responses. The rejection of an amendment aimed at restricting pills-by-post abortions demonstrated the complexities surrounding reproductive rights legislation. Ultimately, the approval of the Antoniazzi amendment signifies progress and dignity for women’s reproductive autonomy. The amendment is still pending approval in both the Commons and the Lords before it can officially become law, signaling a significant victory for women’s rights in the UK
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