Buffer zone Bill to ban protests outside of abortion clinics published
Gillian MacKay MSP's Bill could see 150m safe zones around facilities where abortions are carried out
An MSP has lodged a Bill that could lead to abortion buffer zones being introduced at medical facilities.
Gillian Mackay, Scottish Green MSP for Central Scotland, lodged her Safe Access Zones Bill on Thursday.
The Bill, published today, will see 150m safe zones around facilities where abortions are carried out, meaning anti-abortion campaigners have a restriction on their proximity to such places.
'No excuse for harrassment'
Ms Mackay has received cross party support, with more than 70 MSPs, including the First Minister Humza Yousaf, backing her campaign.
She said: “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.
“We have learnt from those who have worked to deliver buffer zones in other countries, particularly in Northern Ireland. The legal precedent that was set when the Supreme Court upheld their bill is one that we have taken a lot of confidence from.
“The bill I have lodged builds on these experiences, and I am confident that it will provide the best protections anywhere in the UK.
“Most of all, I am grateful to everyone who took part in my consultation and who has shared their experiences and trusted me with their stories. I will do everything I can to ensure that we do you justice and ensure that nobody else has to endure what you have.”
'We really felt like this day would never come'
Lucy Grieve, co founder of campaign group Back Off Scotland, is welcoming the news.
She said: "We're really delighted, this will make it a lot easier to chart progress going forward and it means we can have a bit of an indicative timeline about when it could come in, which could be next year.
"We really felt like this day would never come as we've been doing this since 2020, and it still feels a little bit unreal to see the Bill written down and on the parliament website.
"Our thanks go to everyone who shared their story with us, we had hundreds of people get in touch and they've been integral in getting us to this stage."
'Completely unacceptable'
Commenting on the Bill, women's health minister Jenni Minto said: "It is completely unacceptable for women to face any fear of harassment, intimidation or unwanted influence when accessing essential healthcare services - and the same goes for healthcare staff doing their job.
"That is why we are working hard to support Gillian Mackay MSP with her Member's Bill, which will deliver national legislation on Safe Access Zones."