British Parliament Votes to Decriminalize Late-Term Abortions Amid US Backlash

The UK Parliament has voted to decriminalize late-term abortions, allowing women to terminate their pregnancies without fear of prosecution. The new law changes the rules for women who end pregnancies outside of the 24-week limit, allowing them to receive care and support rather than being criminalized. The move is seen as a significant reform to British abortion laws, contrasting with recent US efforts to limit abortion access.

In a significant move towards reforming British abortion laws, the UK Parliament has voted to decriminalize late-term abortions. This decision, passed by a landslide vote in the House of Commons on June 17, 2025, allows women to terminate their pregnancies without fear of prosecution, regardless of the trimester or term.

The new law, which still requires approval in the House of Lords, amends existing regulations to prevent women from being investigated, arrested, prosecuted, or imprisoned for ending their pregnancies. This change is particularly notable for women who have ended pregnancies outside the 24-week limit or without the approval of two doctors, a practice that has previously led to prosecutions [1][2][3].

One of the most high-profile cases that brought attention to this issue is that of Nicola Parker, who was arrested and jailed after delivering a stillborn baby at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was ultimately acquitted after her trial, highlighting the need for reform [1][2][3].

The amendment, introduced by MP Tonia Antoniazzi, aims to provide care and support to women rather than criminalizing them. However, some lawmakers, including Stella Creasy, have argued that the new law does not go far enough. Creasy proposed an amendment that would have fully decriminalized abortion and enshrined access to it as a human right, but this was not allowed to be voted on [1][2][3].

The UK's devolved system of government means that this law covers only England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own abortion laws. This reform is the most significant change to British abortion laws since the Abortion Act of 1967, which initially allowed the procedure up to 28 weeks but was later reduced to 24 weeks [1][3].

The move in the UK contrasts with recent efforts in the United States to limit abortion access, highlighting the differing approaches to reproductive rights across the two countries.

References:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/g-s1-73294/uk-parliament-bans-women-prosecuted-late-term-abortion
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/17/uk-votes-to-decriminalise-abortion-after-prosecutions-of-some-women
[3] https://www.wunc.org/2025-06-18/u-k-parliament-bans-women-from-being-prosecuted-for-late-term-abortion