British Lawmakers Vote to Legalize Self-Administered Abortion Until Birth

The controversial amendment to decriminalize women who self-abort for any reason after the legal cut-off of 24 weeks cleared the House of Lords.Representatives from the pro-life movement and their supporters gather to demonstrate in Parliament Square in London on May 15, 2024. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images3/20/2026|Updated: 3/20/2026British lawmakers in the House of Lords backed a legislative amendment on March 18 to decriminalize women who have abortions at any point until birth.If the amendment becomes law, it will mean no women in England and Wales can be prosecuted for having an “illegal” abortion for any reason, including sex selection.