Lawmakers vote to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales

In a historic move, British lawmakers voted on June 17, 2025, to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales, marking the most significant change to reproductive rights in decades. This amendment, part of a broader crime bill, was passed with a significant majority of 379 votes in favor against 137 votes against. The ongoing scrutiny of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act, which criminalized abortion, has intensified due to recent prosecutorial cases where women faced criminal charges for illegal abortions, including those who had experienced natural miscarriages and stillbirths. Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi spearheaded the proposal, arguing that prosecuting women in such vulnerable situations is unjust and cruel. The debate highlighted that, over the last five years, there have been more than 100 police investigations into suspected illegal abortions, which included women who suffered from tragic outcomes like miscarriages. As the law stands, abortion is permitted up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, adhering to strict regulations, yet the existing criminal offense status has led to a growing backlash against its application, particularly concerning how it affects women. Critics of the bill voiced concerns that decriminalization could lead to unrestricted access to abortion and leave potentially vulnerable women exposed to coercion or abuse. Prominent opposition came from Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, who labelled the proposed changes as 'extreme' and warned that they could erode protections for unborn children. Additionally, anti-abortion groups expressed fears that the legislation would open the door to abortions being performed up to birth and argued that it fails to safeguard both unborn children and women from harmful situations. Supporters deemed this parliamentary decision a landmark reform that champions women's autonomy and addresses public interest concerns regarding the treatment of women under the current legal framework. The push for change follows the decriminalization of abortion in Northern Ireland in 2019 and reflects a shift towards more compassionate legal considerations for women in these circumstances. As the House of Commons proceeds with further discussions, this legislative reform is set to have profound implications for reproductive rights in the UK and may influence discussions about similar measures in other regions.