Northern Ireland – Abortion: Protest exclusion zones become enforceable by PSNI

May 7, 2023
by Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent

Exclusion zones set up to block anti-abortion protests outside health clinics in Northern Ireland can now be enforced by police.

Legislation to set up safe access zones at clinics where abortions are carried out was passed at Stormont last year.

It has now come into effect. The Department of Health told BBC News NI that trusts are working to put the zones in place.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-65497779

07.05.2023

News

anti-choice harassment

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

House of Lords backs buffer zones for abortion clinics in England and Wales

The proposal now has one last step to go through before becoming law

BY CARA ROGERS
1 FEB 2023

'Buffer zones' around abortion clinics in England and Wales are closer to becoming a reality following overwhelming support from the House of Lords in a debate, which took place on 30 January. The proposed legislation now has one last step to go before being passed – final approval from the House of Commons.

The proposed provision for buffer zones is an amendment to the Public Order Bill, which was added by Labour MP for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy.

Continued: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/female-health/a42722555/house-of-lords-buffer-zones-abortion/

UK – Alleged profitable ‘abortion industry’ is a dangerous myth

Despite claims from opponents, no one is profiting from an ‘abortion industry’ in the UK, writes Gemma Clark

By Gemma Clark
December 27, 2022

The overturning of Roe v Wade in America (which ruled that the Constitution of the United States conferred the right to have an abortion) has had a ripple effect across the world.

Anti-abortionists have become emboldened, and abortion rights activists are working harder than ever to safeguard reproductive rights.

Continued: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/opinion/5203114/buffer-zone-scotland-abortion-industry-myth-opinion/

Northern Ireland abortion buffer zones ruling is a huge win for reproductive rights

Jade Biggs
Thu, 8 December 2022

Lawmakers in Northern Ireland can now create buffer zones around abortion clinics, following a ruling from the UK's Supreme Court. The decision means that Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to bring in legislation on abortion clinic buffer zones – although this was rolled out on a local council level in England and Wales earlier this year.

The Supreme Court's unanimous decision allows the Northern Ireland assembly to proceed with introducing safe access zones to protect abortion clinic users and staff. The move is part of the Assembly's new Abortion Services Bill, which will criminalise those who enter abortion clinic buffer zones with the intention of influencing attendees.

Continued: https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/northern-ireland-abortion-buffer-zones-130700674.html

Scotland – Court ruling paves way for abortion clinic buffer zones

Dec 8, 2022

A Supreme Court ruling has paved the way for a new law setting up safe access zones outside abortion clinics in Scotland. The court ruled that legislation setting up such zones in Northern Ireland does not "disproportionately interfere" with protesters' rights.

Women's Health Minister Maree Todd said Scottish legislation would now go through as soon as possible.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-63893026

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 – Abortion clinic protesters may want to ‘comfort’ people, claims minister

New women’s minister Maria Caulfield defends earlier decision to vote against buffer zones outside clinics

Maria Caulfield, Jamie Grierson
Mon 31 Oct 2022

The new minister for women has defended an earlier decision to vote against buffer zones outside abortion clinics, explaining she is concerned some people accused of harassment may be just trying to “comfort” people using the healthcare services.

Maria Caulfield, who has also supported cutting the abortion time limit, was appointed as minister for women by the prime minister, Rishi Sunak.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/31/abortion-clinic-protesters-may-want-to-comfort-people-claims-minister-maria-caulfield

31.10.2022

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

US group to fight Scotland’s abortion buffer zones

By Lynsey Bews
Sept 28, 2022

A US anti-abortion campaign group has said it will help mount a legal challenge if a law to implement buffer zones is passed in Scotland.

Texas-based 40 Days for Life is already active outside clinics and hospitals in Scotland.

The group's volunteers carry out what they term "vigils" but others claim the protests intimidate vulnerable women.

Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-63033402