Scotland looks to put ‘safe access’ zones into place around abortion facilities

A bill has been published in Scotland which would put buffer zones into place around abortion facilities, one year after the bill was initially proposed.

The BBC reported that Green MSP Gillian Mackay introduced the bill, which already has the approval of the Scottish government. Known as the Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill would create 200m (656ft) “safe access” zones around abortion facilities, though local health boards could extend those zones’ coverage. Anyone who crosses into the “safe access” zone would face an “unlimited maximum” fine.

“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,” Mackay said. “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.”

If the bill does pass, 40 Days for Life said last year that they are prepared to challenge it. “We’re prepared to do a lot, legally and peacefully. So yes, we would be prepared to take the appropriate steps, and I am telling you, there are many allies with us on this,” Shawn Carney, CEO of 40 Days for Life, said. “They don’t agree with us on abortion but there are many people in organizations throughout the UK that think it’s absolutely shameful that we’re being targeted.”

Across the United Kingdom (UK), efforts to stifle pro-life speech have been increasing, going so far as to even criminalize silent prayer. Many of the measures have been described as “draconian,” as they penalize even conversation asking a woman to reconsider her decision to have an abortion.