Bill to ban abortion clinic protests published in Scotland
Anti-abortion protests are set to be banned after a bill was published in the Scottish Parliament.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s bill was presented to politicians today and is expected to receive cross-party support and backing from the government.
The Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill would create 200m (656ft) “safe access” zones around clinics and other facilitates which carry out abortions.
There has been an increase in groups gathering outside clinics in recent years, with demonstrations held in Glasgow.
The American-based 40 Days for Life group holds “vigils” twice a year, where members stand outside clinics, praying and displaying messages which are criticised by human rights groups.
Anti-abortionists say they would will challenge any such law preventing their protests in the courts.
Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive at Scottish Women’s Aid, welcomed the news of the bill’s publication, saying it will ease the process for those who undergo abortions.
She said: “It’s a safe zone bill and we are delighted that this is coming into to the parliament schedule.
“I worked in reproductive health for 15 years and I have never known a woman to make that decision lightly
“For me it’s mind boggling that we have allowed it to go on for this long and that there are people out there who are willing to inflict this kind of harm on people who are just trying to access their health care.”
Right To Life UK spokesperson, Catherine Robinson, said: “If this bill becomes law, the world’s most extreme buffer zone law will be introduced in Scotland”.
“This legislation goes further than any buffer zone legislation in other jurisdictions, creating a larger buffer zone than anywhere else in the world and giving the Scottish Government powers to extend these zones without limit”.
Writing on X, formally Twitter, Miss Mackay wrote: “There is no excuse for the harassment that far too many people have had to endure when accessing healthcare. These protests should not be happening and today we are an important step closer to ending them for good.”
