A move to restrict the rights of people to pray and offer help to women outside abortion clinics has been slammed by SPUC. Tomorrow (Wednesday 24 June), Rupa Huq MP will introduce a Ten Minute Rule Bill on “to restrict demonstrations in the vicinity of abortion clinics; and for connected purposes.” 

 “This is yet another attack upon the rights of pro-life citizens to witness peacefully and offer help to women in need,” said Antonia Tully, Campaign Director at SPUC. “Thousands of women who did not want an abortion but felt they had no choice have been helped by pro-life people outside abortions clinics. Being unable to offer that help during lockdown, at precisely when so many women might view a pregnancy as a crisis situation, has been devastating – but pro-lifers have obeyed the law.”

In September 2018, the Home Secretary rejected calls to bring in nationwide buffer zones around abortion clinics, following a hard-hitting campaign by the Society for the Protection of Unborn children. At that time, an extensive review by the Home Office found that the activities of pro-lifers were peaceful and that there was no justification for curtailing their freedom of speech and association in this way.

Antonia Tully went on: “It is particularly unfortunate that Ms Huq has launched this attack on civil liberties at a time when pro-life people, like most of the country, have been foregoing their usual acts of witness because of the restrictions during the pandemic.”

Mrs Tully concluded: “This attempt to remove civil liberties from law-abiding citizens should not be forced through as restrictions on gatherings generally are lifted. The lockdown has meant that many women have found themselves in a crisis pregnancy situation, and will need help more than ever. As soon as it is safe to do so, pro-lifers must be allowed to offer that help.”