Gibraltar votes in referendum on easing strict abortion law

A woman casts her vote during the abortion referendum at a polling station in the British Overseas territory of Gibraltar, June 24, 2021. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

GIBRALTAR (Reuters) - Gibraltarians voted in a referendum on Thursday on whether the tiny British territory on the southern tip of Spain should ease one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe.

Its criminal law bans abortion in all circumstances, with a maximum punishment in theory of life in prison. While no one has been convicted, citizens and residents are forced to go to Spain or travel to Britain to have an abortion.