THE first arrest has been made for an alleged breach of abortion buffer zone legislation, but how do these buffer zones work in Scotland?
What are buffer zones?
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act, introduced by Green MSP Gillian Mackay, was implemented last year.
It was backed by 118 MSPs from all parties, with just one voting against it.
The legislation prevents protests from taking place within 200m of abortion clinics in Scotland.
Within these zones, it is a criminal offence to act in ways that could influence the decisions made by women and staff to access services within the clinic. In addition, it is an offence to behave in ways that could cause alarm, harassment or distress within the area.
Examples of such behaviour could include the following activities:
- Approaching someone to try and persuade them not to access abortion services
- Surrounding someone as they try to go in or out of the clinic or hospital
- Handing out leaflets within the 200m area
- Religious preaching
- Silent vigils
Why were the buffer zones introduced?
The legislation was introduced due to the disruptive effects that protests have on patients and staff at abortion clinics and hospitals. Before the law was introduced, Glasgow hospitals such as QEUH became a regular target for anti-abortion protesters.
What is the punishment for breaching the laws of buffer zone legislation?
Those who break the new safe access zone laws can receive fines of up to £10,000, or a potentially unlimited fine depending on the seriousness of the case. Now, the first case of an arrest being made for breach of the law has taken place.
Why did JD Vance say that prayer regarding abortion in a private property is illegal in Scotland?
Vance was referring to a misreading of the law in which those who reside in property within the buffer zones could be prosecuted over one of the behaviours listed above, that could influence or harass those accessing the clinics.
The law does not make private prayer illegal within these properties and those within these zones were not sent letters warning against taking part in private prayer.
