Criminal sanctions for abortion could be removed in England and Wales under new proposals to be tabled by MPs. Labour backbenchers have outlined plans to move amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill in a bid to remove the threat of prosecution against women. Ministers have faced calls to repeal sections of a 19th-century law in England and Wales after abortion was previously decriminalized in Northern Ireland. In 2019, the UK Parliament backed moves to repeal sections of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 that made abortion a crime. The move followed a vote by MPs to decriminalize abortion in Northern Ireland if power-sharing at Stormont collapsed.
The proposed amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill are expected to garner support from various factions within the Labour Party, women’s rights organizations, and pro-choice campaigners who argue that the decriminalization of abortion is long overdue.
If the amendments are successful, abortion will no longer be treated as a criminal offense, and women seeking abortions will not face the risk of prosecution. This would bring England and Wales in line with other parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, where abortion has already been decriminalized.
The repeal of the 19th-century law has been a contentious issue, with pro-life campaigners arguing that it undermines the rights of the unborn child. However, proponents of decriminalization argue that women should have the right to make choices about their own bodies without fear of legal consequences.
Leading Labour backbenchers have voiced their support for the proposed amendments. Diana Johnson, MP for Hull North, stated, It is time for England and Wales to catch up with the rest of the UK and remove the outdated criminal sanctions against women seeking abortions.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has also signaled his support for the proposed changes, stating that it is time to look at this issue carefully and thoroughly. Javid’s support carries weight within the Conservative Party, and if the amendments gain cross-party support, it is highly likely that they will be passed.
The potential decriminalization of abortion in England and Wales would mark a significant step forward for women’s reproductive rights. It would provide women with greater autonomy over their bodies and ensure that access to safe and legal abortions is not hindered by the threat of criminal prosecution.
The proposed amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill are set to ignite fierce debate in Parliament and beyond. Proponents of decriminalization argue that it is a necessary step towards achieving gender equality and reproductive justice, while opponents maintain that it undermines the rights of the unborn child.
As the issue unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the amendments will successfully pass through Parliament and bring about the decriminalization of abortion in England and Wales. Nevertheless, the proposed changes have sparked hope among women’s rights activists and pro-choice campaigners who see this as a crucial opportunity to make lasting progress in the fight for reproductive rights.
