Meeting of the Parliament 30 April 2024
I completely agree with that. The unintended consequences of the protests are off the scale.
The view reflected that of many individuals and organisations that were concerned for the welfare of vulnerable individuals who are accessing healthcare services. The Royal College of Midwives responded to the bill, saying:
“abortion services are an essential part of women’s healthcare. Healthcare professionals, including our members, deserve to undertake their work without being harassed and abused.”
One woman told Back Off Scotland, which has run an excellent campaign in support of buffer zones:
“I went into hospital first thing in the morning and was faced with a group of protestors holding up placards. They remained there seven hours later when I left the clinic. My privacy and safety were threatened, and it was a deeply intimidating experience.”
I ask whether any of those people have any understanding of how difficult the decision to terminate a pregnancy is or the circumstances that bring someone there in the first place. Of course they do not. If protesters are seeking to change the law, why not do it outside the Scottish Parliament, where laws are made? Why not pray outside the Scottish Parliament?
The bill does not limit the ability to oppose abortion in other places. In accordance with the requirements of the European Court of Human Rights, the provisions of the bill strike a balance between the right to respect for private and family life and the rights of assembly and association, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Seventy per cent of Scottish women of reproductive age live in a health board with hospitals or clinics that have been targeted by anti-choice groups in the past five years, and the figure is on the increase. That is completely shocking, and that is why buffer zones around the entrance to a clinic or hospital are so absolutely necessary. Buffer zones are already in place in Canada, Australia, parts of England and the USA, so they are not a new concept.
I know that some people, including members and committee members who will speak in today’s debate, have concerns about people being criminalised for praying if they are caught in a buffer zone. Personally, I am not religious, but friends who are tell me that praying is a private activity that is usually carried out at home or with fellow worshippers in a church. Ross Greer could explain that far better than I could. To deliberately choose a location to press views on women who are at their most vulnerable is surely a far from Christian act.
I am pleased that members will back the general principles of this crucial bill at decision time today. As always, concerns and details can be fixed at stages 2 and 3, and the member has shown great willingness to accommodate everyone’s concerns in that regard.
Access to healthcare is a human right, so let us protect those rights for women at a time in their lives when they need support more than anything else.
15:33