Sturgeon to convene abortion buffer zone summit after ‘deeply wrong’ protests
NICOLA Sturgeon will chair a roundtable summit to draw up plans for buffer zones to be established outside abortion clinics despite the risk of legal challenges.
The First Minister gave the pledge after being pressed on the issue by Labour MSP Monica Lennon.
Concerns have been raised over women being intimidated by protesters outside healthcare facilities which also provide abortions, with the FM previously telling anti-abortion campaigners to instead demonstrate outside parliament.
Calls have been made for buffer zones to be set up outside clinics, but a similar measure proposed in Northern Ireland has been referred to the Supreme Court after a legal challenge.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon insisted that “women have the right to access abortion without fear or intimidation”, adding that demonstrating outside healthcare facilities was “deeply wrong”.
She added: “I strongly support the introduction of buffer zones and the government is actively considering how this parliament can legislate in a way that is effective and also capable of withstanding legal challenge.
“The law on buffer zones passed in Northern Ireland has recently been referred to the Supreme Court. The outcome of that may have relevance for any steps we take here.
“In the meantime though, as we consider and hopefully resolve issues around national legislation, we will support any local authority that is willing to use by-laws to establish buffer zones.”
Ms Sturgeon said: “I am very happy to convene and indeed, I will personally chair a roundtable summit to discuss buffer zones and indeed any other matters that need to be addressed to ensure safe and timely access to abortion services in Scotland within the current law.”
Ms Lennon said she would “warmly welcome the First Minister’s agreement to convene an urgent summit that more than a dozen women’s organisations have called for”.
She added: “Her personal commitment to chair the talks and facilitate politicians, campaigners and healthcare experts working together is hugely important and I thank her for this.”
Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who is expected to bring forward a members’ bill on buffer zones, pointed to loud protests outside the Sanford clinic in Glasgow .
Ms Mackay said: “Not only do these protests intimidate many of the people who use these services, I understand they also forced the clinic to close particular rooms on one side of the building due to the amplification system the protestors were using.
“My buffer zones member’s bill will restrict protest outside healthcare settings. It is time we ensured that everyone who needs to access abortion services can do so free from intimidation and harassment.”