Abortion violates the most fundamental human right, the right to life. Last year, abortions in Scotland reached an all-time high of 16,584, a rise of 19 per cent on the previous year. Despite this massive increase, the Scottish Parliament is poised to introduce draconian legislation that will ban pro-life vigils that seek to inform women of the dangers of abortion and the help available to them.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, sponsored by Gillian MacKay, Green Party MSP, would create exclusion zones around all abortion facilities across Scotland. Initially these zones would be a minimum of 200 metres but the Bill allows abortion providers to make an application to extend the boundary. This is more extreme than legislation in England and Wales. The Public Order Act (2023) sets the limits of buffer zones at 150 meters and does not permit extensions. 

The Scottish proposals will even prohibit silent prayer, reintroducing thought crime into Scottish law for the first time since freedom of religion was recognised as a human right. And because the Bill provides no exception for residential buildings, people living within an exclusion zone could face prosecution for displaying a pro-life poster in their window of their home or a pro-life sticker on their car. In fact, just being in an area visible or audible to someone within the buffer zone, risks a £10,000 fine or an unlimited fine if convicted by a court.

The introduction of buffer zones is entirely unnecessary since existing laws against harassment and intimidation are more than capable of tackling unlawful behaviour. Instead the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill threatens to crush freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of conscience. It will effectively criminalise compassion by denying pregnant women the opportunity to learn about the practical help available and more babies’ lives will be lost as a result.

If Humza Yousaf’s Government is committed to making Scotland “a modern, inclusive nation which respects, protects, and fulfils all internationally recognised human rights” then it should oppose the passage of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill.

Please join us in calling on the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, to respect the fundamental human rights of Scottish citizens by guaranteeing freedom of expression is protected and compassionate offers of support will remain accessible outside abortion facilities across Scotland.