Image – Shutterstock: Regensburg, Germany
In a significant victory for freedom of expression and the pro-life movement, the German city of Regensburg has withdrawn its restrictions on prayer vigils near abortion facilities. The decision follows rulings by both the Regensburg Administrative Court and the Bavarian Administrative Court which found that the city’s 100-metre buffer zone violated constitutional rights to free speech, assembly, and religious expression.
The move comes after months of legal pressure and political tension. Local officials had introduced the exclusion zone after lobbying from pro-abortion politicians, claiming that silent prayer gatherings were a form of “coercion” toward women considering abortion. The restrictions directly targeted the group Helfer für Gottes kostbare Kinder Deutschland e.V. (Helpers for God’s Precious Children Germany), which organises peaceful prayer vigils outside abortion centres.
However, the courts found no evidence that such gatherings amounted to harassment or coercion. Instead, they upheld the right of citizens to express their beliefs peacefully in public. This outcome reflects a broader legal principle affirmed in the amendment to Germany’s Pregnancy Conflict Law at the end of 2024, which prohibits sweeping restrictions on free speech and assembly near abortion facilities.
Felix Böllmann, director of advocacy at ADF International, welcomed the result as “a clear commitment to the rule of law.” He emphasised that the victory protects peaceful protesters from political interference and prevents the misuse of legislation to silence dissenting views. The pro-life legal group noted that Regensburg’s withdrawal of the ban likely prevented a more decisive defeat in future proceedings.
This is not the first time German courts have defended the rights of those who pray for the unborn. In 2022, the Mannheim Administrative Court ruled in favour of the 40 Days for Life movement after their prayer vigils in Pforzheim were similarly restricted. Each victory strengthens the principle that peaceful pro-life expression deserves legal protection, even in the face of political opposition.
SPUC’s Communications Manager, Peter Kearney, says, “The Regensburg case is a reassuring sign for pro-life advocates across Europe. It shows that persistence, compassion, faith, and respect for human rights can still prevail in societies where the unborn too often go unheard. The UK should take a leaf out of Germany’s book: peaceful prayer must again become an acceptable and lawful act in defence of life.”
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