00:00Has the UK legalized abortion up until birth?
00:07A network of European online outlets have been tricked by a misinterpretation of British law
00:11which falsely led them to believe the House of Lords would allow abortions up until the moment of birth.
00:16On March 18th, the House of Lords of the British Parliament voted to keep an amendment
00:20that removes women from criminal liability related to abortions.
00:24This means that women would no longer face investigation, arrest or persecution for ending their own pregnancies at any stage.
00:31It doesn't change the existing legal framework on abortions such as the 24-week limit and medical requirements that women
00:37face.
00:38And healthcare professionals could still face criminal liability if they perform abortions outside the conditions set by current law.
00:45However, a misinterpretation of the term decriminalization has led to a series of online posts,
00:50articles by outlets and even condemnation from Catholic organizations.
00:55News that abortion had been legalized up to birth in the UK was then amplified across social media platforms and
01:02repeated by commentators.
01:03One such story, re-shared by Spanish MEP Margarita de la Pisa with the headline
01:08Abortion will be legal until birth in the UK, garnered thousands of views.
01:12These posts interpreted the removal of criminal liability as meaning abortion had been fully authorized at any stage.
01:18In reality, decriminalization refers to removing criminal penalties for women who end their own pregnancies.
01:25Legalization would involve formally permitting and regulating abortion without restriction under the law.
01:31The amendment only addresses the former, leaving existing rules on when and how abortions can be provided unchanged.
01:38It's also not a permanent measure.
01:40The legislation could still be amended as it completes its passage through Parliament.
01:47It's also not a permanent measure.
01:48It's not a permanent measure.
01:48It's not a permanent measure.
01:50It's not a permanent measure.
Comments