Abortion Buffer Zones Bill faces first vote at Scottish Parliament

Legislation to create buffer zones around clinics where abortions are carried out is expected to pass its first vote at Holyrood.

MSPs are to vote on the general principles of legislation being put forward by Green MSP Gillian Mackay which, if passed, would prevent anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200 metres of hospitals and other facilities.

Ms Mackay said Tuesday's vote at Holyrood was a "key stage" for her Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill - which already has the backing of the Scottish Government.

'Necessary'

The debate comes after MSPs on Holyrood's Health Committee agreed that the legislation is "necessary" to ensure women no longer suffer harassment or intimidation outside clinics where terminations are performed.

And Ms Mackay thanked those women who have spoken out about the "harrowing" experiences they have suffered, as she said: "I want to ensure that nobody else has to face such intimidation."

With MSPs to vote on the general principles of the legislation, the Green MSP added: "This can and must be a moment of unity for our Parliament.

"I am proud to have the support of MSPs from all parties, and hope that we can all stand together to send the strongest possible message."

'Abortion rights are human rights'

Ms Mackay continued: "Abortion rights are human rights and are key to my feminism, but my Bill is also about respecting people's right to privacy and to access healthcare free from obstruction.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped to get my Bill to this stage. It has been a team effort with MSPs, campaigners and everyone who took part in my consultation."

'Not a minute too soon'

Lucy Grieve from buffer zone campaigner group, Back Off Scotland, said: "It's been four long years of campaigning which has brought us to this moment.

"We're absolutely delighted it's at this point, but it's not a minute too soon.

"Since we started this campaign in 2020 we've heard from hundreds of women, medical staff and passers-by who've been targeted and left distressed and traumatised by anti-abortion activists outside clinics.

"The main consequence of this Bill not passing is the continued impact on the lives of people across Scotland.

"It's important to look at how hard we've been campaigning to get to this in and it's only now that we can bring it to the floor of Parliament.

"It has been four years, and there's absolutely no way that all parties across the Scottish Parliament chamber aren't aware of the impact this has on their constituents.

"it's untold levels of harm, as we've said from the beginning.

"Given the uncertainty in Scottish politics right now and not knowing who our First Minister or what their view on abortion is going to be, it's absolutely crucial and vital that we pass buffer zones into legislation now as opposed to later.

Opposition

However, pro-life organisations remain concerned about the impact of the legislation on human rights.

Grace Browne from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said: "Pro-life vigils offer support to pregnant women.

"Children are alive in this country today because their mum accessed help from a pro-life vigil, so it is astounding that pro-abortion activists and MSPs are looking into legislation which would block women from the support which meant their child could live.

"It's going to crush human rights including speech, assembly and expression, and what we're looking at here is legislation that's going to criminalise silent prayer which means that thought-crime will exist in Scottish society.

"No one should be criminalised for silent, private thoughts inside their own heads.

"Buffer zones are a radical and anti-democratic move which needs to be dumped by the new First Minister of Scotland."

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