British lawmakers have voted to decriminalize abortion in England and Wales amid a debate raging in recent years over the high number of women being prosecuted for terminating late-term pregnancies, Euronews reported.

The House of Commons approved an amendment (379 votes in favor, 317 against) to the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861.

In fact, abortion has been legal in the country for six decades, but only up to 24 weeks of pregnancy and with the permission of two doctors. 

The amendment passed Tuesday spares those who decide to have a late-term abortion from the risk of going to jail. However, assisting health professionals or others could still be prosecuted for acting outside the legal framework.

Labor MP Tonya Antoniazzi, who introduced one of the amendments, said the changes were necessary because more than 100 British women have been prosecuted for having an illegal abortion in the past five years. 

"This piece of legislation will take women out of the criminal justice system. They are vulnerable and need our help," she said. - What public interest does this serve? It's not justice, it's cruelty, and it must end."

The legislation will then go to the House of Lords for consideration, where it could be delayed but not blocked.