Italy’s criminalising of surrogacy both at home and abroad could be replicated in other nations, according to experts.

“Italy is an example to follow for other countries,” Bernard Garcia Larrain, a lawyer and international anti-surrogacy advocate, told CNA.

Garcia Larrain is the coordinator of the Casablanca Declaration, an international group calling for the abolition of surrogacy worldwide.

On Oct. 16, Italy’s Senate passed a bill making it possible to prosecute Italian citizens for pursuing surrogacy abroad. The practice was already a crime within Italian borders.

Garcia Larrain told CNA that national regulation of surrogacy is not enough, because surrogacy “is a global market,” which is why the group he coordinates is calling for its universal abolition for the protection of children and women.

In the meantime, however, the lawyer said Italy has taken a good first step that he hopes other countries will follow.