MSP Gillian Mackay’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill was passed at stage one yesterday by 123 votes to one.
The proposed buffer zones law would impose an exclusion zone of 200m around abortion facilities in which all pro-life activity, and possibly silent prayer, would be outlawed.
The Bill will move on to stage two to be scrutinised further and possibly amended.
Before yesterday’s vote, 77% of respondents to a consultation said they opposed the introduction of buffer zones in Scotland.
In March, Police Scotland also stated that laws already exist to deal with bad behavior at pro-life vigils, adding that no criminality had been identified.
Research commissioned by the Scottish Government similarly found no instances of abuse from pro-life participants whose activity outside abortion facilities was found to be report commissioned.
The issue of whether silent prayer will also be criminalised is expected to be considered again at stage two after MSPs expressed MSPs backed the Bill at stage one.
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “Yesterday’s vote is a slap in the face of Scots who have consistently voiced their opposition to illiberal buffer zones. MSPs prioritised abortion ideology over the democratic will of the Scottish people who baulk at such extremism.
“Throughout this process, MSPs have ignored the facts on the ground as confirmed by the police, independent reports and anecdotal evidence. As well as being anti-free speech and anti-religion, buffer zones are unnecessary and breach numerous human rights.
“As this Bill progresses to stage two, MSPs must look deep inside themselves and decide whether they truly want to forbid life-saving interventions from peaceful Scots whose love and offers of aid do not deserve to be criminalized by radicals who ultimately want as much abortion as possible.”
