Petition to: Humza Yousaf - First Minister of Scotland
Humza Yousaf: Don't criminalise compassion
Humza Yousaf: Don't criminalise compassion
During the election campaign, Humza signed up to BackOff Scotland's three extreme demands on abortion:
- Unequivocal support for buffer zones
- Improving access to "abortion care" up to 24 weeks
- Bringing forward decriminalisation proposals in the current term
These demands would liberalise abortion in Scotland massively, without the support of the Scottish people. According to polling carried out by Savanta Com Res, two thirds of Scots believe the criminal law is necessary to prevent medical malpractice.
Mr Yousaf has thrown has support behind The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian MacKay MSP.
What will happen if this Bill is passed?
- It will be illegal "to influence or persuade a person concerning their access to or employment in connection with abortion services". This would prevent women being offered help outside clinics. It would even prevent a family member or social worker expressing an opinion to a woman about her abortion.
- People will be criminalised for "persistently, continuously, or repeatedly occupying a safe access zone" - so even silent prayer or witness would not be allowed.
- Anyone taking part in a pro-life vigil in Scotland would be subject to a six month prison sentence for a first offence, and up to two years for subsequent breaches.
This Bill is a massive attack on civil liberties. People will be arrested just for expressing an opinion on abortion in a certain place - or even just praying silently.
In his first speech as First Minister, Mr Yousaf promised to bring in buffer zones in order to build a "more compassionate Scotland". There is nothing compassionate about threatening peaceful citizens with jail sentences for offering help to women in need. Hundreds of women are helped by pro-life outreach every year. Banning pro-life vigils removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their baby but feel they have no other choice than abortion.
Sign our petition calling on Humza Yousaf to reconsider his support for buffer zones and not to criminalise compassion.
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Petition to: Humza Yousaf - First Minister of Scotland
Dear First Minister,
During the election campaign, you pledged your "unequivocal support" for buffer zones around abortion clinics. In your first speech as First Minister, you promised to build a "more compassionate Scotland" by introducing them.
Far from building a kinder society, buffer zones outlaw compassion.
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian MacKay MSP, will prevent peaceful pro-life people from offering help to women who want to keep their baby. Hundreds of women are helped by pro-life outreach every year. Banning pro-life vigils removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their baby but feel they have no other choice than abortion.
A compassionate society does not threaten to jail its citizens for peacefully witnessing and offering support to women in need.
We ask you to reconsider your support for buffer zones and not to criminalise compassion.
Petition to: Humza Yousaf - First Minister of Scotland
Dear First Minister,
During the election campaign, you pledged your "unequivocal support" for buffer zones around abortion clinics. In your first speech as First Minister, you promised to build a "more compassionate Scotland" by introducing them.
Far from building a kinder society, buffer zones outlaw compassion.
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian MacKay MSP, will prevent peaceful pro-life people from offering help to women who want to keep their baby. Hundreds of women are helped by pro-life outreach every year. Banning pro-life vigils removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their baby but feel they have no other choice than abortion.
A compassionate society does not threaten to jail its citizens for peacefully witnessing and offering support to women in need.
We ask you to reconsider your support for buffer zones and not to criminalise compassion.
