LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The British government on Thursday published long-awaited draft legislation that, if passed by MPs, would ban so-called “conversion therapy” which claims to change someone’s sexual orientation.

Under the UK bill, which still needs to be scrutinised in parliament, those carrying out an “abusive conversion practice” could face a criminal conviction and up to five years in jail.

Conversion therapy is an umbrella term for interventions aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity — usually targeting LGBTQ people — based on a belief that it is possible to do so.