Scottish Parliament Votes in Favor of Abortion Buffer Zone Legislation
The legislation will make it an offence to prevent access, cause harassment, or try to influence the decision of another person seeking an abortion.
The Scottish Parliament (MSPs) has approved a bill to establish buffer zones around abortion clinics to prevent vigils, protests, and other pro-life activities nearby.
With a vote of 118 to one, MSPs supported the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill on Wednesday. The legislation, proposed by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, will create 200-meter zones around approximately 30 sites across Scotland.
Ms. Mackay emphasized that the bill is aimed at preserving women’s access to healthcare.
She stated, “Today’s vote ensures that no woman should ever feel stripped of her dignity, privacy, or emotions when deciding to have an abortion.”
Ms. Mackay added, “It upholds her right to choose without fear or intimidation. A woman’s autonomy over her own body is her own business, and that message is clear across Scotland tonight.”
‘Dark Day’ for Scotland
Following the bill’s passage, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) criticized it as a “dark day” for Scotland, warning that it would restrict free speech and introduce “thought crime” to the country.
Mr. Robinson stated, “Scotland has regressed significantly in terms of civil liberties and has positioned itself as the most intolerant and anti-freedom of speech nation in the Western world.”
The SPUC Executive Director warned that the bill is likely to infringe on protected human rights and can be challenged in court.
He added, “SPUC will explore all legal options to repeal this law, including judicial review, to uphold the fundamental freedoms that form the foundation of our society.”
Concerns Over Silent Prayer
The issue of silent prayer near abortion providers was a point of discussion during the bill’s debate and scrutiny, with some MSPs and witnesses expressing worries about the potential criminalization of this activity.
In May 28, Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour questioned whether the bill would lead to parliament “policing thought,” raising concerns about infringing on religious freedom.
Ms. Mackay clarified that the legislation doesn’t criminalize silent prayer or thoughts but the impact of one’s actions on others.
The Green MSP explained, “If someone is silently praying and their conduct doesn’t impact women or clinic staff as intended by the bill, it’s unlikely they are committing an offence.”
She noted, “However, if someone stands silently praying for an extended period, observes women entering an abortion clinic, or displays a sign, they could potentially commit an offence.”
According to Ms. Mackay, the issue lies not in the act of prayer but in the perceived judgment.
Arrested for Silent Prayer
The bill aligns Scotland with the rest of the UK, following a similar law passed in Northern Ireland in 2023, known as the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland).
The legal group supporting Ms. Vaughan-Spruce, ADF UK, described the expansion of buffer zone legislation and orders as a crucial juncture in the country.
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, remarked, “We must question whether we are genuinely a democratic nation committed to upholding the peaceful exercise of freedom of speech. We are in danger of passively advancing toward a society that condones, normalizes, and even advocates the ‘tyranny of the majority.’
Arrested for Silent Prayer
The bill brings Scotland into line with the rest of the UK, where a similar law was passed by the devolved government in Northern Ireland in 2023, called the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland).
The legal organisation supporting Ms. Vaughan-Spruce, ADF UK, said at the time that the increase in buffer zone legislation and orders “is a watershed moment in our country.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, continued: “We must ask ourselves whether we are a genuinely democratic country committed to protecting the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of speech. We are at serious risk of mindlessly sleepwalking into a society that accepts, normalizes, and even promotes the ’tyranny of the majority.’”
PA Media contributed to this report.
