Scotland Introduces World’s Worst Law Banning Pro-Life Free Speech And Prayer

Despite overwhelming public opposition to the introduction of buffer zones around abortion clinics in Scotland, MSPs have passed legislation that would make it illegal to offer assistance to women seeking an abortion within 200m of any facility that performs abortions, and could even fine people for displaying pro-life signs in their own homes.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Gillian Mackay MSP, passed Stage 3 by 118 to one, despite the fact that 77% of respondents to a consultation on the matter disagreed with the “overall purpose” of the Bill.

In addition to the passing of the Bill, a number of amendments were considered including an amendment which added a “defence of reasonableness” in case of prosecution. This amendment was withdrawn and not voted on.

John Mason MSP, the only MSP to vote against the passing of this legislation, said, at a previous stage in the Bill’s progression, that “women should not be harassed or intimidated, but I also say that there is very little evidence of harassment or intimidation near abortion facilities”...

The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in the coming weeks, at which point it will become law.

The passing of this Bill into law will introduce the world’s most extreme buffer zone law in Scotland...

Within these zones, it will be illegal to influence a person in regard to their decision “to access… the provision of abortion” in an abortion clinic or a hospital. These provisions would make offers of help to women seeking an abortion illegal within a buffer zone, and could criminalise silent prayer.

Anyone who commits an offence can be fined up to £10,000 on a summary conviction, or an unlimited fine on indictment.

The provisions of the Bill apply to anything that is “visible or audible” within a buffer zone, even if these relate to private buildings. This means it may be illegal for pro-life signs to be displayed from a window within a private home or outside a place of worship if the signs are within the boundaries of or visible to a buffer zone. Similarly, conversations in private homes or outside churches may be included if they are audible inside a buffer zone. Referring to private dwellings, Mackay herself told the Committee “it is essential that such premises are covered by the legislation”.

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said: “Despite overwhelming opposition to the Bill from respondents to the consultation, and polling that shows that only a small percentage of the population in Scotland support the introduction of nationwide buffer zones, MSPs have voted to pass this extreme legislation”.

“Many women have been helped outside abortion clinics by pro-life volunteers who have provided them with practical support, which made it clear to them that they had another option other than going through with the abortion”.

“The passing of this Bill will likely mean that the vital practical support provided by volunteers outside abortion clinics will be removed for women and many more lives will likely be lost to abortion”.

“This is a truly draconian piece of legislation that reaches into the homes of ordinary people. It creates an offence for being publicly pro-life. It is direct viewpoint discrimination”.

“No one else is penalised for hanging the flag of their favourite football team from their window, or having a ‘Vote Labour’ sign, but if an individual or a church wants to display a sign, from within their own property, which says ‘Pregnant? We can help’, they may be guilty of violating this buffer zone legislation”.