Abortion Decriminalised in the Isle of Man
16 January 2019
Manx abortion reforms to be introduced after new law receives Royal Assent
Women on the Isle of Man will soon be able to request an abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Tynwald President Steve Rodan said the Abortion Reform Act had received Royal Assent, meaning that the UK’s Ministry of Justice has given its approval. The Manx government is yet to announce when the new law, proposed by Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson, will be introduced.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-46879046
15 January 2019
Isle of Man first place in British Isles to decriminalise abortion
The Isle of Man has become the first place in the British Isles to decriminalise abortion.
The new law will allow abortion for any reason up to 14 weeks’ gestation and in certain circumstances between 15 and 23 weeks. From 24 weeks until birth, abortion will be permitted when pregnancy would cause risk to the mother’s life or if the baby when born would suffer serious impairments or die shortly after birth.
The new law will make the Isle of Man – a self-governing region of the British Isles – the only part of the UK to have decriminalised abortion. Elsewhere it is broadly legal, but not entirely decriminalised.
Those seeking abortion up t o14 weeks will not need the approval of two doctors, as is the case currently in England, Scotland and Wales, and midwives and pharmacists will be allowed to dispense abortion pills, as well as doctors.
See also blog by Charlotte Kelly (BSACP’s PPI Representative): https://bsacp.org.uk/isle-of-man-becomes-first-part-of-the-british-isles-to-decriminalise-abortion/