UK – Retired scientist prosecuted for holding up ‘here to talk’ sign outside abortion clinic

Former medical researcher accused of breaching ‘buffer zone’ and public space protection order when attending clinic

Charles Hymas
9 March 2024

A retired medical scientist is being prosecuted in a free speech test case after holding up a sign near an abortion clinic saying: “Here to talk if you want to.”

Livia Tossici-Bolt, 62, who worked at Southampton’s University Hospital Trust as a medical researcher, has been accused of breaching a “buffer zone” when she attended the abortion clinic in Bournemouth.

Continued: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/09/retired-scientist-free-speech-case-abortion-clinic/


Scotland – Abortion clinic buffer zone law needed ‘quickly’ – Gray

BBC
Feb 14, 2024

A law to ensure buffer zones around abortion clinics is needed "quickly", the health secretary has said.

Neil Gray described protests from anti abortion groups outside medical facilities as "unacceptable". Mr Gray was speaking at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow, one of several sites targeted by the 40 Days for Life pro-life group.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68296988


UK – MPs fear watering down of buffer zone rules at abortion clinics

A Labour and Tory MP will later appeal to the home secretary to rethink guidance that will still allow "silent prayer" and protesters to approach vulnerable women.

Serena Barker-Singh
Thursday 1 February 2024

Cross-party MPs will meet with the home secretary today to query the government's plans allowing protesters to engage in "silent prayer" and approach women with leaflets inside buffer zones around abortion clinics.

Despite MPs voting over a year ago to ban these activities, draft guidance released by the Home Office now appears to water down the laws, campaigners have said.

Continued: https://news.sky.com/story/mps-fear-watering-down-of-buffer-zone-rules-at-abortion-clinics-13060906


Religious exemptions to abortion buffer zones law could ‘overturn will of Parliament’

18 January, 2024
Humanists UK

The UK Government has proposed draft guidance for Abortion Safe Access Zones that would effectively overturn the will of Parliament through expansive religious loopholes which would render the legislation incapable of protecting women from abuse and harassment.

In 2022 and 2023, in a resolute response to escalating harassment of women at the hands of evangelical protesters outside abortion clinics, the UK Parliament voted overwhelmingly to establish Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales. These zones were expressly intended to protect women from a barrage of bullying and psychological abuse as they sought access to clinics, ensuring their right to medical care in a safe and dignified environment.

Continued: https://humanists.uk/2024/01/18/religious-exemptions-to-abortion-buffer-zones-law-could-overturn-will-of-parliament/


UK – Ministers accused of watering down rules around abortion clinic buffer zones

Campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers and approach women attending clinics in England and Wales

Rowena Mason Whitehall editor
Wed 17 Jan 2024

Ministers have been accused of watering down guidance around new buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales, after it emerged campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers and approach women attending clinics to discuss the issue.

New draft guidance published by the Home Office has caused alarm among people who campaigned for the 150-metre safe zones, due to be introduced in the spring.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/17/ministers-accused-of-watering-down-rules-around-buffer-zones-outside-abortion-clinics


N. Ireland – Abortion: PSNI investigate safe access zone protest law breaches

18th December 2023
By Elaine McGee, BBC News NI

The police are investigating up to 50 potential breaches of laws providing safe access zones (SAZs) outside abortion clinics in Northern Ireland. The zones came into effect in September at eight clinics in Northern Ireland.

More incidents were reported at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine than any other site, police figures show. That has prompted pro-choice campaigners and some local politicians to call for the zones to be extended by up to 250m (820ft).

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67749785


UK Government consults on Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics

Public consultation launched on the implementation of Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics.

Home Office and The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
11 December 2023

The government has launched a public consultation on the implementation of Safe Access Zones around abortion clinics.

During passage of the Public Order Act 2023 last year, Parliament voted to introduce legislation to prohibit protests within 150 metres of an abortion clinic or hospital that provides abortion services. We anticipate commencing Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 no later than Spring 2024.

Continued: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-consults-on-safe-access-zones-around-abortion-clinics


Scotland – Kate Forbes accused of ‘ignorant’ comments after defending silent prayer near abortion clinics

The Highlands MSP and former SNP finance secretary was criticised by buffer zone campaign group Back off Scotland.

by Alasdair Clark
November 26 2023

Campaigners have accused SNP MSP Kate Forbes of making “ignorant comments” after she defended silent prayer outside of abortion clinics.

Ms Forbes shared her views on the upcoming Holyrood legislation which could see buffer zones imposed around clinics.

If backed by MSPs, the bill would prevent protest within 200 metres of medical facilities.

Continued: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/6271447/kate-forbes-silent-prayer-abortion-clinics/


UK – Fury at year-long Home Office delay over protest buffer zones at UK abortion clinics

Suella Braverman accused by MP Stella Creasy of denying will of parliament in passing safe access law

Sian Norris
Sat 21 Oct 2023

Pro-choice MPs and activists have expressed their frustration at the government’s failure to implement a law on buffer zones around abortion clinics one year after 297 MPs voted in favour of the zones and as women face a new wave of protests when accessing reproductive care.

A Home Office spokesperson told the Observer that timelines would be confirmed “in due course” but refused to explain why the law was not yet in force and failed to confirm if a consultation on safe-access zones legislation had been launched.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/21/fury-at-year-long-home-office-delay-over-protest-buffer-zones-at-uk-abortion-clinics


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