Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Include abortion rights in the Bill of Rights
Closed
167,690 signatures
What the petition asks
As Parliament considers the Bill of Rights, the Government must reconsider including abortion rights in this Bill. Rights to abortion must be specifically protected in this legislation, especially as the Government has refused to rule out leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.
In the wake of the United States Supreme Court over-turning 'Roe vs. Wade' in a landmark decision; the United Kingdom must enshrine abortion rights in the new UK Bill of Rights.
Abortion rights are healthcare rights; not just for individuals who do not wish to be pregnant, but also for those who do. For ectopic pregnancies, to finish a natural miscarriage, or if mother or foetus' life is at high risk. There are a multitude of other reasons to seek an abortion and this should be protected as a right to choose.
Abortion rights are healthcare rights; not just for individuals who do not wish to be pregnant, but also for those who do. For ectopic pregnancies, to finish a natural miscarriage, or if mother or foetus' life is at high risk. There are a multitude of other reasons to seek an abortion and this should be protected as a right to choose.
Government response · 20 September 2022
The Government is now looking again at the Bill of Rights to ensure it will deliver the Government’s objectives as effectively as possible.
The Government has decided to look again at the Bill of Rights, to ensure that it delivers the Government’s objectives as effectively as possible.
This will inform future steps in this area, including any legislation Parliament may be invited to consider in future.
Ministry of Justice
This will inform future steps in this area, including any legislation Parliament may be invited to consider in future.
Ministry of Justice
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated this petition on 28 November 2022.
Timeline
| 5 Jul 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Aug 2022 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 31 Aug 2022 | Passed 100,000 signatures, qualifying for a parliamentary debate |
| 27 Sep 2022 | Government responded |
| 28 Nov 2022 | Debated in Parliament |
| 19 Jan 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
167,690
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
5 Jul 2022
Closed
19 Jan 2023
Response
20 Sep 2022
Debated
28 Nov 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.