SPUC has launched a new petition calling on Humza Yousaf to reject illiberal buffer zones in Scotland. All SPUC supporters, and anyone else, are encouraged to add their name to the petition.
SPUC is calling on the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, to reject dangerous and illiberal buffer zone legislation that would outlaw pro-life activity and free speech outside abortion facilities.
MSPs MUST NOT CRIMINALISE COMPASSION, states the petition, launched on CitizenGO this week.
The petition also calls on the First Minister in particular “to respect the fundamental human rights of Scottish citizens by guaranteeing the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of conscience and the right to express their religious and philosophical convictions regarding the right to life of unborn children”.
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, sponsored by Gillian MacKay MSP, seeks to impose exclusion zones, also known as “buffer zones”, of at least 200 meters around abortion facilities in Scotland – a boundary even larger than the limit in England and Wales, set at 150 meters.
Abortion providers in Scotland would also have the option to request an extension of the buffer zone.
The Scottish buffer zone legislation would criminalise all pro-life activity, including posters in windows inside residential buildings, and subject rule breakers to fines of £10,000 or more.
Buffer zones are illiberal and dangerous
Alithea Williams, SPUC’s Public Policy Manager, said: “By outlawing peaceful pro-life activity around abortion facilities, buffer zone legislation denies desperate women a final way out of abortion, and many of these women feel pressured into abortion, sometimes by partners, family or financial circumstances.
“Ultimately, buffer zones only protect the abortion industry, not the women and unborn children who pass through its gates.
“As well as outlawing compassion, buffer zones set a terrible precedent, breaching fundamental rights to free speech and freedom of religion. In England, buffer zones have already led to the arrests persons silently praying outside abortion facilities.
“In effect, buffer zones have introduced thoughtcrime into the UK for the first time. This should not be accepted by any civilised nation. It is time that citizens stand up to this assault on our freedoms.”
SIGN THE PETITION
Please sign our Petition calling on the First Minister to REJECT Buffer Zones in Scotland. CLICK HERE to add your name to the Petition.
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.