The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), which represents over 52,000 family doctors, has passed a motion to decriminalise abortion saying that the procedure should be governed by medical regulatory frameworks, and not the criminal justice system.
Humanists UK, which campaigns for the decriminalisation of abortion in the UK including Northern Ireland, has welcomed the updated policy which sends a strong signal that maintaining criminal sanctions against women wanting an abortion is not only a violation of their rights, but also out of step with current medical best practice.
The decision to adopt the new policy was taken after a survey of members and a consultation with the RCGP’s local faculties. Over 4,400 members responded with 62% supporting decriminalisation. Of the RCGP’s 21 faculties, not one opposed decriminalisation, with 11 supporting it.
The RCGP will now actively campaign for a change in legislation alongside other medial bodies, including the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health, which have all already moved to support decriminalisation.
Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented:
‘The RCGP is the latest major medical body to move in the past two years to officially support decriminalisation. There is now a strong consensus that abortion should only be considered as a medical procedure and not as a criminal law matter. We hope that the growing support by these important medical voices will lead to a change in legislation so that women are not inhumanely treated by the legal system but are supported in their right to safe, legal access to abortion.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Press Manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at casey@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3078.
Read more about our campaign work on abortion and sexual and reproductive rights: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/sexual-and-reproductive-rights/
Read RCGP’s policy on decriminalisation: https://www.rcgp.org.uk/about-us/news/2019/february/rcgp-to-support-decriminalisation-of-abortion.aspx
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.