UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A coalition of 50+ MPs supports a new amendment to remove abortion from criminal law, aiming to end legal penalties for women over pregnancy-related cases.
As reported by The Guardian, parliament sees the tabling of an abortion decriminalisation bill, backed by 50+ MPs representing various political parties.
Who presented the amendment, and which MPs are supporting it?
The amendment is presented by:
- Tonia Antoniazzi (Labour)
Supported by the following MPs:
From Labour Party:
- John McDonnell
- Nadia Whittome
- Jess Asato
- Antonia Bance
From Liberal Democrats:
- Christine Jardine
- Wera Hobhouse
- Daisy Cooper
From Green Party:
- Siân Berry
- Carla Denyer
From Alliance Party:
- Sorcha Eastwood
From Plaid Cymru:
- Liz Saville-Roberts
- Llinos Medi
From Conservative Party:
- Caroline Dineage
From SDLP (Social Democratic and Labour Party):
- Claire Hanna
What did Tonia Antoniazzi’s amendment mean for abortion laws?
The amendment put forward by Antoniazzi seeks to exclude “women from the criminal law related to abortion.” It guarantees that “no offence is committed by a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy.”
Under this proposal, women would no longer face criminal charges under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. This 19th-century law has historically been used in recent abortion cases. The change would ensure women are not prosecuted under the Infant Life Act 1929, which defines the crime of “child destruction.”
The amendment is part of the government’s crime and policing bill. It builds upon a similar proposal by Labour MP Diana Johnson. Her attempt to include it in the Conservative government’s criminal justice bill failed when the legislation was suspended due to an upcoming general election.
What did Tonia Antoniazzi say about the rising criminal investigations of women?
Tonia Antoniazzi said the amendment was put forward because a legal change is essential.
She stated, “We’ve seen a sharp rise in the number of women and girls facing criminal investigations following pregnancy loss and abortion. It’s just wrong to put women in this situation, to put them into the criminal justice system because this is not a criminal law issue, this is essentially a healthcare matter.”
Ms Antoniazzi added, “I find it unbelievable that in the last five years, around 100 women have been investigated by the police. It’s just wrong. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money, it’s a waste of the judiciary’s time, and it’s not in the public interest. Therefore, the law has to change.”
She said, “I think it is, it is utterly, utterly disgraceful that she was put in this position, and shame on those people that brought this case forward.”
Ms Antoniazzi explained that the amendment, which could become law as early as this summer, closely follows Johnson’s previous proposal and “doesn’t change anything about the provision of abortion services.”
She explained that the amendment keeps the existing abortion law intact, insisting, “There’s no change to time limits, and also how women access care, the need for two doctor signatures.”
MsAntoniazzi stated, “This is a simple amendment that looks after women, which is our principal aim here, to make sure that they are not criminalised for something that is not in the public interest.”
The Labour MP continued, “It’s in their interest that we make sure that these women get the right support, the right help, and are not reported to the police for a pregnancy loss, a miscarriage, or a situation that they find themselves in that has become impossible. These women are vulnerable. They need our help, and they don’t deserve to have their lives ruined.”
Which professional bodies are supporting the change in abortion laws?
Below are the professional bodies supporting the change in abortion laws:
- British Medical Association
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- Royal College of Midwives
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal College of General Practitioners
Countries where abortion is legal (popular nations)
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Australia
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- New Zealand