Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Decriminalise abortion
Closed
439 signatures
What the petition asks
The Government should decriminalise abortion so individuals seeking to terminate a pregnancy can do so without conditions attached. This should include revoking the requirement in the Abortion Act for individual's seeking an abortion to have 2 doctors' approval.
Currently, the Offences Against The Person Act makes abortion a criminal offence unless certain conditions set out in the Abortion Act are met.
The Abortion Act also requires an individual seeking an abortion to obtain 2 doctors' approval first. Decriminalising abortion would fully put the decision making power into the control of the individual seeking the abortion.
Whereas in many other countries around the world, including many European countries, individuals have the right to an abortion on request, without conditions.
The right to an abortion is surely a human right, and one not fully awarded to child bearing individuals within the UK today.
The Abortion Act also requires an individual seeking an abortion to obtain 2 doctors' approval first. Decriminalising abortion would fully put the decision making power into the control of the individual seeking the abortion.
Whereas in many other countries around the world, including many European countries, individuals have the right to an abortion on request, without conditions.
The right to an abortion is surely a human right, and one not fully awarded to child bearing individuals within the UK today.
Timeline
| 7 Jul 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 21 Jan 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
439
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
7 Jul 2022
Closed
21 Jan 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.