Buffer zone bill receives Royal Assent
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has received Royal Assent for her Safe Access Zones Scotland Bill, which was passed overwhelmingly by the Scottish Parliament in June with the support of 118 MSPs from across the Chamber.
This is an important legislative step and means that Ms Mackay’s vital Bill has been formally approved as an Act of Parliament and officially become law. It will soon receive a commencement date which will confirm when it will come into effect.
The Act will put an end to protesters intimidating people accessing abortion services by establishing 200 metre wide exclusion zones, or buffer zones, where such actions will be prohibited by law.
Ms Mackay said: “This is really welcome news and a key milestone for women’s rights and reproductive rights in Scotland. Buffer zones are coming.
“At heart my Act is very simple, and means that nobody can be targeted, harassed or obstructed when they are accessing healthcare.
“I was moved to introduce the legislation after seeing shocking footage of braying protesters with megaphones and banners shouting at women outside a hospital in broad daylight. I was shocked and angry, and determined to put an end to it as soon as possible.
“It has been a long journey for us to get here, and a lot of people have done a lot of crucial work to make it possible.
“I want to thank the Scottish Government for their support, as well as all of the campaigners who have worked with me, including Back Off Scotland and the STUC Women's Committee. I would especially like to thank everyone who shared often traumatic experiences with me and ensured that we delivered the most robust Act that we could.
“I’m looking forward to being able to confirm a commencement date for my Act as soon as possible, and ensuring that we stop the protests for good."
