British lawmakers are gearing up to discuss proposals to decriminalize abortion due to worries that outdated laws are being used by the police to prosecute women who terminate their pregnancies.

The House of Commons is set to debate two amendments to a broader crime bill that would prevent the prosecution of women who take steps to end their pregnancies at any point.

Tonia Antoniazzi, a Labour member of Parliament, introduced one of the amendments, emphasizing the need for change as police have investigated over 100 women in the past five years for suspected illegal abortions, some of whom experienced natural miscarriages and stillbirths.

Doctors in England, Scotland, and Wales can legally perform abortions up to 24 weeks, and in special circumstances beyond that, such as when the mother's life is at risk. Abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic allow women to receive abortion pills by mail and end their pregnancies at home within the first 10 weeks, resulting in a few high-profile cases where women were prosecuted for illegally obtaining abortion pills and using them after 24 weeks or more.

A second amendment would extend beyond Antoniazzi's proposal, preventing the prosecution of medical professionals and others who assist women in aborting their fetuses.

Opposition to both measures comes from anti-abortion groups, who argue that they will lead to abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy, leaving unborn babies with less protection and women vulnerable to abusers.