UK MPs have voted to stop prosecuting women in England and Wales for ending their own pregnancies, a major shift in how ab0rtion laws are enforced.
The amendment by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, passed on June 17 by 242 votes, ensures women won’t face criminal charges for self-terminating pregnancies, though it doesn’t change existing ab0rtion laws. It now awaits approval from the House of Lords.
“Women are currently being arrested from hospital bed to police cell and facing criminal investigations on suspicion of ending their own pregnancy,” Antoniazzi said. “My amendment would put a stop to this. It’s the right amendment at the right time.”
The move follows controversial cases like Carla Foster’s jailing at 32–34 weeks and Nicola Packer’s acquittal after using pills at 26 weeks. Over 100 women have been investigated in the past five years.
Antoniazzi clarified the amendment doesn’t affect current laws or time limits, and illegal providers can still be prosecuted.
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