UK – Women still being harassed at abortion clinics despite buffer zone law

'Safe access zones’ entered law in England and Wales in May but Home Office has delayed implementing them

Denis Campbell
Wed 18 Oct 2023

Women using abortion clinics are still being harassed despite MPs voting a year ago to create buffer zones to stop protesters intimidating them, medical and abortion groups say.

Suella Braverman, the home secretary, has failed to “commence” the legislation to introduce buffer zones in England and Wales, even though parliament approved the move on 18 October last year.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/18/women-harassed-abortion-clinics-england-wales-buffer-zone-law

Bill to ban protests at Scottish abortion centres published

Oct 6, 2023

A bill designed to stop protests outside Scotland's abortion clinics has been published at Holyrood. Green MSP Gillian Mackay's bill would set up "buffer zones" around the facilities, preventing people from gathering nearby.

It is likely to have cross-party support and is being backed by the Scottish government. Anti-abortion campaigners from the USA have said they will challenge any such law in the courts.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-67021626

06.10.2023

News

40 days for life

Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill

anti-choice protesters

Northern Ireland – Abortion clinic buffer zones to start from Friday

Sept 25, 2023

Exclusion zones set up to block anti-abortion protests outside health clinics in Northern Ireland will be introduced on Friday. The "safe access zones," will be in areas across the five health trusts.

Legislation to set up the zones at clinics where abortions are carried out was passed at Stormont last year. The Department of Health said they are to "protect women and girls accessing abortion services, information, advice and counselling, and protect staff".

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66917236

25.09.2023

News

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023

anti-choice protesters

Scotland – Activists’ concern after abortion buffer zone group disbanded

May 3, 2023
By Morven Mckinnon, BBC Scotland News

Pro-choice activists have raised concerns after the Scottish government disbanded a working group on abortion buffer zones. Back Off Scotland, which wants curbs on protests near clinics, accused ministers of sitting "on their hands".

A members bill proposed by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay would set up 150m "safe access" zones around sites.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65472848

03.05.2023

News

anti-choice protesters

German abortion clinics targeted by US-style protests

Protests outside abortion clinics and family planning centers are underway in Germany. Reproductive rights advocates point to the influence of US money and tactics on the anti-abortion movement in Germany and Europe.

Helen Whittle
Mar 4, 2023

In the early afternoon on a gray and windy Friday in February, a dozen protesters from EuroProLife slowly began to appear opposite the Pro Familia family planning advice and counseling center in Frankfurt's Westend.

Clutching hymn sheets and rosaries, they chanted the Hail Mary prayer. Some held placards bearing images of smiling babies or a tiny clenched fist with the slogans "Unborn Lives Matter" and "Abortion Is Not a Solution."

Continued: https://www.dw.com/en/german-abortion-clinics-targeted-by-us-style-protests/a-64877764

N. Ireland – Supreme Court says bill to ban anti-abortion protests at clinics is lawful

Dec 7, 2022
By Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent

A bill to ban anti-abortion protests at Northern Ireland health clinics does not "disproportionately interfere" with protesters' rights, the Supreme Court has ruled.

Former assembly member Clare Bailey developed the bill to set up so-called safe access zones outside clinics where abortions are carried out.

It was voted through the assembly in March by a majority of parties. It was delayed from becoming law after the attorney general intervened.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63886414

UK – Bournemouth: Anti-abortion group take action against clinic buffer zone

Dec 2, 2022

An anti-abortion group is taking legal action over a clinic buffer zone, claiming it censors free speech and criminalises reading from the Bible.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is being taken to court for introducing the zone to protect staff and visitors from protests.

Christian Concern said the council's consultation held prior to its introduction was "questionable".

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-63834799

02.12.2022

News

40 days for life

Andrea Williams

anti-choice protesters

Bpas

British Pregnancy Advisory Group

buffer zone

Christian Legal Centre

Maria Caulfield

Public Spaces Protection Order

Europe

United Kingdom

Anti-choice

Maryland – Inside the Race to Open an All-Trimester Abortion Clinic

When Roe v. Wade fell, restrictions and bans created an access bottleneck for people seeking abortions, fueling a rising need for later-pregnancy terminations. Here, Cosmo goes behind the scenes of one clinic’s fight to open its doors.

by T.S. MENDOLA
NOV 14, 2022

At any other kind of clinic, the man in the baseball cap wouldn’t warrant attention. He’s just leaning against his bike, smoking a cigarette in the courtyard. But to Morgan Nuzzo, his presence is ominous. It’s 94 degrees this Tuesday afternoon in College Park, Maryland, and the man wears all black. Minutes tick by. He doesn’t make a move toward any of the businesses in the building.

Continued: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a41558326/partners-in-abortion-care-clinic-all-trimesters/

US-style anti-abortion protests come to Europe

With protests against abortion rights becoming increasingly aggressive, countries such as England, Wales and Spain are drawing up laws to protect people at clinics.

Ines Eisele
October 23, 2022

On January 20, 2023, hundreds of thousands of opponents of abortion rights are expected to gather in the US capital, Washington D.C., for the "March for Life." The march takes place annually on or around the anniversary of the January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade decision, which had protected abortion rights in the United States until this June, when the US Supreme Court overturned the decision. Several states have since further restricted abortion.

Though the march is the biggest and most famous anti-abortion event, there are many such rallies in the United States and around the world. Many organizations that were founded to oppose abortion rights in the United States now have branches abroad. One of the biggest organizations in the world for opponents of reproductive rights is 40 Days for Life, a Christian organization that campaigns against abortion in dozens of countries.

Continued: https://www.dw.com/en/us-style-anti-abortion-protests-are-spreading-to-europe/a-63528128

UK – MPs back abortion clinic buffer zone law

Oct 18, 2022

Plans to enforce buffer zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales have been backed by MPs.

Under the proposed law, harassing, obstructing or interfering with any woman attending an abortion clinic would become a criminal offence.

Protesters found guilty of breaching 150-metre buffer zones around clinics would face up to six months in jail.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-63302710