Lifesite news

A campaign advocating for the legalization of abortion up to birth for any reason in Scotland has been formally launched. The initiative, titled Let’s Change the Act, calls for the full decriminalization of abortion and the replacement of the Abortion Act 1967 with a “modern, health-based legislative framework.”

Decriminalization would entail the removal of criminal law provisions related to abortion, allowing terminations up to birth for any reason, including sex-selective abortion.

The campaign is supported by a range of organizations, including Amnesty International, Engender, Equality Network, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), and the Humanist Society Scotland.

Disability rights organizations Inclusion Scotland and Glasgow Disability Alliance are also listed as supporters, which is deeply disappointing and regrettable given disabled unborn children are often disproportionately affected by abortion. Across the UK, approximately 90% of pregnancies involving babies with Down syndrome are terminated and abortions have been carried out for treatable conditions such as cleft palate and club foot.