IT’S been nearly two years since a draft proposal for implementing no-protest buffer zones around abortion clinics was lodged in the Scottish Parliament.
But next week formal scrutiny will finally begin – officially known as Stage One of a bill – as the legislation embarks upon its journey to becoming law in Scotland.
MSPs on Holyrood's health committee will, from Tuesday, begin to ask key questions about Green MSP Gillian Mackay’s Abortion Services Safe Access Zones Bill. There are set to be four evidence sessions in total over four weeks, with key players from different sides of the argument due to set out their stall.
So, what are the important issues which could come up?
On the back of our Give Us Space campaign in support of buffer zones, The National spoke to Lucy Grieve and Alice Murray from Back Off Scotland – who will give evidence next week – about what they are expecting over the coming weeks.
A focus on behaviours
Murray, who had to face up to anti-abortion protesters in 2019 when she had a termination, has insisted the bill in its current form is strong, making it an offence to protest within 200 metres of a service provider.
But one of the key questions Murray feels will come up time and again in the coming weeks will be over what behaviours are deemed to be intimidating.
She told The National: “One of my anxieties is the focus there will be on behaviours and what behaviours are intimidating.
READ MORE: Scottish researchers discover proteins which degrade plastic
“We get asked a lot about the exact behaviours of protesters rather than about how women felt and I am worried about hat.
“I think the bill we have is really strong because it does encompass so many behaviours but I’m worried it will get watered down with discussions about what’s really intimidating.
"If that becomes the conversation, we’ll be back to square one.”
Silent prayer
Within the debate about behaviours of protesters, Grieve said an big issue that will be raised will be the practice of silent prayer.
Despite the fact buffer zones are due to be implemented in England and Wales in the spring, ministers have recently been accused of watering down guidance after it emerged campaigners could still be allowed to conduct silent prayers.
Silent prayer – being the engagement of the mind and thought in prayer towards God – is often used by protesters as an excuse for intimidating women going to have abortions.
Grieve said: “I think the biggest issue is going to be silent prayer, which for me is a brilliant diversionary tactic for the whole issue.
“I think silent prayer and occupying a space, and how that affects people’s rights, is going to be a big debate and we’re ready for that.”
The right to protest
One of the big focuses for Back Off Scotland in giving evidence will be making it clear this issue is about protecting people’s right to access healthcare peacefully and not about restricting the right to protest.
Murray said she fears the start of scrutiny over the bill may have come at an unfortunate moment where there have been rising tensions over the UK Government seeking to police certain protests via the Public Order Act introduced last year.
She said: “I think it’s come at a bit of a negative time in some ways as I think there has been an increase in action on protests like environmental ones and that is a slight worry.
“I think it’s so important we make sure people know this is about healthcare. I think people have genuine worries about a crackdown on the right to protest, but this is different.
READ MORE: Prime Minister’s adviser calls for protest exclusion zone outside Westminster
“I hope that MSPs can put themselves in people’s shoes and see the important nuances. I hope they can put themselves in the headspace of someone going to have an abortion and facing this harassment.”
A poignant moment
Back Off Scotland began campaigning for buffer zones nearly four years ago and both Grieve and Murray, despite frustrations along the way, feel the start of scrutiny and the chance to speak to MSPs on public record is a big moment.
Grieve said: “It feels like we’re going to be going up a hill still for some time yet, but I am excited this moment is here.
“It doesn’t feel completely real because we’ve been so used to hiccups along the way. In preparing for committee we’ve been going down memory lane and it’s made us see how much we have been up against in the early days.”
READ MORE: Scottish SPCA issues update amid new XL bully restrictions
Mackay, who will be giving evidence next month, said while there is a long way to go, she is confident the bill has the sufficient backing to become law.
She said: “As we enter the legislative process we need to remember what this is all about: protecting healthcare staff and vulnerable patients. They have the right to do their jobs and access healthcare free of intimidation, and when all is said and done that’s what we will have achieved.
“It’s been a long road to get to this stage, and we have a lot still to do. But I’m confident that over the last year we’ve done the work and won the support we need to finally put an end to the harassment that has hurt so many.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel