Abortion buffer zones come into force on ‘crucial day’ for reproductive rights

The implementation of new laws banning protesters from gathering outside clinics where abortions are carried out has been hailed as a “crucial day for reproductive rights” by the MSP who spearheaded the legislation.

Green MSP Gillian Mackay spoke out as new laws came into force across Scotland, preventing anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200 metres of such facilities.

Safe access zones came into place at 30 health facilities around the country from Tuesday September 24.

It comes just over three months after Holyrood overwhelmingly passed the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act – with just one MSP voting against the legislation.

Police Scotland will be responsible for enforcing the legislation, and those breaching the new laws could face an unlimited fine in the most serious cases.

Speaking as the legislation came into force, Ms Mackay said: “This is a crucial day for reproductive rights and healthcare in Scotland.

“I hope that it will be the end of the intimidation and harassment we have seen of people who are accessing healthcare.”

She stated: “Right from the first moment I saw footage of the protests, I could see how much damage they were doing and how many people were being impacted by them. I knew that I had to do everything I could to stop them.

“Over the days and weeks ahead, I will be working with the Scottish Government to ensure that patients and staff know where protesters can and can’t be so that they can report any activity that is against the law.”

Ms Mackay praised the work of campaign groups such as Back Off Scotland, who supported her legislation, and also thanked the women who shared their “often difficult and traumatic stories” of protests outside clinics.

She said: “I hope that this is a turning point and the beginning of the end of the protests, and that nobody else will have to endure them.”

The Scottish Government had also supported Ms Mackay’s legislation, with the women’s health minister, Jenni Minto stating: “The introduction of Safe Access Zones is a crucial milestone in protecting women’s abortion rights.”

The minister insisted: “No one has the right to interfere in women’s personal medical decisions and the law now makes that abundantly clear.”

She praised Ms Mackay and others who campaigned for the change, paying tribute to “the women who showed incredible courage in speaking up and sharing their experiences during the Bill process”

Ms Minto added: “The new zones of 200 metres around all abortion services will help ensure women have safe access to healthcare – free from intimidation. This law is about protection for women at a time when many will feel incredibly vulnerable around taking a deeply personal and difficult decision.”

Similar legislation will come into force in England and Wales on October 31.