The legislation has been created by MSP Gillian Mackay and is called Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill. It bans praying and offering help to women in front of abortion clinics in Scotland. Anyone breaching the law, will be fined up to £10,000. 

Jenni Minto – the Minister for Public and Women’s Health – stated: “It is absolutely unacceptable for women to face any unwanted influence, distress or alarm when accessing abortion services. With the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act coming into force this week I hope women hear the Scottish government’s clear message that we will protect their access to healthcare. I thank Gillian Mackay for her vital work in progressing the Act and I am incredibly grateful to all the women and staff and others who contributed to the process. The Act is not an attempt to restrict freedom of speech or the right to religious expression, but to safeguard public health and protect the right of women to access healthcare without obstruction. Individuals who break Safe Access Zone law can now face significant fines, with enforcement being carried out by Police Scotland.”

Pro-life activist group The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children protest in front of the Scottish Parliament, dressed in prison jumpsuits. They intend to emphasise how absurd the restrictions are. Their CEO John Deighan, stated: “The law is illiberal and dangerous and severely infringes upon civil liberties, particularly the rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and the ability to offer support to pregnant women. The fact that someone can be criminalised for praying or offering help to a woman in need is an outrageous and dangerous precedent. SPUC is here to ensure that this sweeping attack on civil liberties does not go unnoticed. Ultimately, buffer zones only protect the abortion industry, not the women and unborn children who pass through its gates. As well as outlawing compassion, buffer zones set a terrible precedent, breaching fundamental rights to free speech and freedom of religion. In England, buffer zones have already led to the arrests of persons silently praying outside abortion facilities. Buffer zones have introduced thought crime into Scottish society. SPUC will stand up to this assault on our freedoms.”

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/