Scotland – Abortion protests near clinics banned as buffer zones law goes live

Sep 24, 2024

The MSP responsible for the introduction of buffer zones near abortion clinics has hailed the first day of the new legislation as "crucial".

Green MSP Gillian Mackay was behind the bill which prevents anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200m (656ft) of clinics where the procedure is carried out.

The zones, which are now live, were introduced as a result of Mackay’s Safe Access Zones Scotland Act, which was passed in June with the support of 118 MSPs from across the Chamber.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98y1ryd6d3o

Scotland – ‘Significant fines’ for people who break abortion buffer zones

23 Sep 2024

People who break abortion buffer zones have been warned they face “significant fines”. Legislation establishing protected zones of 200 metres around abortion services comes into force tomorrow.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill was passed in June. Those who break the law may be fined up to £10,000 under summary procedure.

Continued: https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/significant-fines-for-people-who-break-abortion-buffer-zones

23.09.2024

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill

anti-choice harassment

anti-choice intimidation

anti-choice misogyny

anti-choice protesters

Scotland – Abortion buffer zones to take effect within weeks

Sept 5, 2024

Buffer zones around clinics offering abortion services in Scotland will come into force on 24 September.

The new law will prevent any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics around the country.

Opponents had claimed the legislation would infringe on freedom of religion, but it was passed overwhelmingly by MSPs in June.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0r75n72qzo

06.09.2024

News

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill

buffer zones

Christian Action Research and Education

Scotland – SNP members vote to enshrine right to abortion in indy Scotland constitution

Sep 1, 2024
By James Walker

SNP members have voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the constitution of an independent Scotland. The motion, which was proposed by the SNP’s Elgin branch, was comfortably passed at conference on Sunday.

It looked to "safeguard women's reproductive rights against any potential political or legal regression" amid recent developments in the United States, where the overturning of Roe v. Wade has led to significant rollbacks in women's right to an abortion in several states.

Continued: https://www.thenational.scot/news/24555117.snp-members-vote-enshrine-right-abortion-constitution/

01.09.2024

News

buffer zone laws

enshrining abortion rights in constitution

Contraception clinics cancelled in Scotland as doctors ‘flooded’ with thousands of STI and abortion cases

STI and abortion rates have risen “perversely” since the coronavirus pandemic, according to Scotland’s women’s health champion

By Rachel Amery
10th Aug 2024

Contraception clinics are being cancelled because doctors and nurses are overwhelmed by the soaring number of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and abortions, it can be revealed.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, STIs and abortion rates have been on the rise in Scotland. This has led to sexual and reproductive health services having to cancel clinics providing long-action reversible contraception such as IUDs and implants, because staff are too busy dealing with STIs and abortions.

Continued: https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/contraception-clinics-stis-abortions-4734087

10.08.2024

Anna Glasier

sexually-transmitted infections

Scotland – ‘I felt alone and isolated travelling to England for abortion care’

Jessica says she had to make the 'traumatic' journey after missing the cut-off for treatment in Scotland.

Caitlin Hutchison
July 18, 2024

Jessica was 23 when she unexpectedly fell pregnant. She had been on contraception and showed no obvious signs, so it took until the eighteenth week of her pregnancy before she realised.

By that stage, even though she was legally entitled to an abortion, she had reached the cut-off in Scotland and her only option was to make an 800-mile round trip to a clinic in England.

Continued: https://news.stv.tv/scotland/number-of-women-travelling-from-scotland-to-england-for-abortion-care-at-highest-level-since-before-covid-pandemic

18.07.2024

Commentary

Back Off Scotland

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Jenni Minto

Lucy Grieve

National Services Scotland

Rachael Clarke

traveling to England for abortion

Scotland – MSPs approve buffer zones at abortion clinics

June 12, 2024

MSPs in the Scottish Parliament have passed a bill to introduce buffer zones around clinics providing abortions. The legislation would prevent any protests or vigils taking place within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics offering abortion services.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, tabled by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, passed by 118 votes to one.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8vv5l8vlp3o

12.06.2024

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill

anti-choice protesters

Scotland – MSPs back abortion clinic buffer zone bill at first stage

April 30, 2024
Megan Bonar, BBC Scotland News

Legislation which aims to introduce buffer zones around clinics providing abortions has been voted through its first stage in the Scottish Parliament.

The bill, tabled by Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay, passed at stage one by 123 votes to one.

The legislation would prevent any protests taking place within 200m (656ft) of clinics offering abortion services.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51nq5dy095o

30.04.2024

Queen Elizabeth University hospital

Scotland – Abortion clinic buffer zone law backed by MSP group

Apr 22, 2024

A proposed law to ban protests outside abortion clinics is necessary to ensure women are free of intimidation, a Holyrood committee has said.

Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay last year introduced a member's bill at the Scottish Parliament that would block any protests taking place within 200m (656ft) of clinics.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0v0qq9ed03o

22.04.2024

News

Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill

Queen Elizabeth University hospital

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