MSPs in the Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill on June 12 to institute buffer zones around the nation’s abortion facilities, despite strong public disapproval.
The “Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones)” legislation passed by a 118-to-one vote. According to the legislation, all pro-life activity within a minimum of a 200 meter space of a hospital or abortion facilities is prohibited, including signs and displays — even if those displays are on private property. The bill’s passage comes despite a recent public survey revealing that an overwhelming majority of over 70% of the respondents oppose buffer zones.
“Today’s vote means never again should a woman have to be stripped of her dignity, privacy or emotion in opting to have an abortion. It enshrines her right to do so, and to do so without fear or intimidation” said MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the legislation.
Despite laws like these, pro-lifers who advocate outside abortion facilities are overwhelmingly peaceful and prayerful. Their presence is not only to save preborn children from abortion, but also to help the mothers who feel that abortion is their only choice, or who may be coerced. Many women go to abortion facilities because they are unaware that there are organizations in place to help them keep their children; pro-lifers can connect women with these organizations.
Michael Robinson, general secretary of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), called the legislation “deeply flawed,” saying it “seeks to police areas of our private lives, which the state has no right to interfere with, namely private thought and prayer.”
“MSPs have trampled on at least four European Convention of Human Rights and have introduced thought crime into Scottish society […] This is indeed a dark day in Scotland’s history,” he added.
Right to Life UK has called the bill the “most extreme abortion buffer zone law in the world.”
“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,” said Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Right to Life UK.
“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,” Robinson added.
The bill next needs to receive royal assent before it formally becomes law.
