Prosecutions Under 1861 Abortion Law Spark Debate on Decriminalization in UK

Recent prosecutions under an 1861 Victorian abortion law in Britain are becoming more common due to a pandemic-era change allowing women to receive abortion medication by post after telemedicine consultations. This has led to debates about decriminalizing abortion and potential amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill.

The increased use of the 1861 law and the impact of the pandemic-era policy change have brought the issue of abortion reform to the forefront of public discourse in the UK. Campaigners are urging MPs to reject a new amendment tabled by Labour MP Stella Creasy to the Criminal Justice Bill that would make significant changes to abortion laws.

The proposed amendment, NC40, would remove key deterrents against late-term abortions, including the possibility of custodial sentences for abortions after 24 weeks and the requirement for the Director of Public Prosecutions to personally approve prosecutions. Opponents argue that this could lead to a significant increase in the number of late-term abortions and make it easier to cover up infanticides.

The amendment would also remove safeguards provided by the Abortion Act, effectively making abortion available on demand up to 24 weeks, including for sex-selective abortions. There is strong opposition to these proposals from the public and medical professionals, with polling showing that only 1% of women support introducing abortion up to birth and 91% agreeing that gender-selective abortion should be explicitly banned.

Why this matters: The debate surrounding the proposed changes to UK abortion laws has far-reaching implications for women's reproductive rights and the legal framework governing abortion access. The outcome of this legislative battle could set a precedent for future discussions on abortion reform in the UK and beyond.

Right to Life UK has launched a major nationwide campaign to defeat these attempts to introduce extreme changes to the UK's abortion laws. "The proposed amendment would remove crucial safeguards and make late-term abortions more accessible, which goes against public opinion and medical ethics," a spokesperson for the organization stated. As the debate continues, both sides are gearing up for a contentious fight over the future of abortion rights in the UK.

Key Takeaways

• Prosecutions under 1861 Victorian abortion law increasing due to pandemic-era policy change.
• Proposed amendment would remove safeguards, increase late-term abortions, and enable sex-selective abortions.
• Strong public and medical opposition to the proposed amendment, with only 1% supporting abortion up to birth.
• The debate has significant implications for women's reproductive rights and the legal framework governing abortion access.
• Right to Life UK launched a campaign to defeat the proposed amendment, which they consider an "extreme change" to UK's abortion laws.