British lawmakers voted on Tuesday to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales, world agencies reported, quoted by BTA.
The House of Commons of the British Parliament approved an amendment to a broader crime bill that would prevent women from being prosecuted for having an abortion.
Labor Party MP Tonya Antoniasi, who introduced one of the amendments, said the change was necessary because police have investigated more than 100 women on suspicion of illegal abortions in the past five years, including some who miscarried or gave birth to stillborn babies.
The amendment was adopted by 379 votes to 137.
Under current law, doctors can legally perform abortions in England, Scotland and Wales up to the 24th week, and then - in special circumstances, such as when the mother's life is in danger. Abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland in 2019.