Buffer zones will be one of proudest legacies of devolution
The introduction of buffer zones outside facilities that provide abortion services will be one of the proudest legacies of devolution, say the Scottish Greens.
The comments from the Scottish Greens health spokesperson, Gillian Mackay MSP, come ahead of a landmark stakeholders summit hosted today by the First Minister.
Gillian, who will be addressing the summit, is introducing a Members Bill to establish 150 metre buffer zones to ban protests outside abortion service providers.
The summit will also hear from campaigners and from former Green MLA Clare Bailey who brought the Bill that successfully introduced buffer zones in Northern Ireland.
Speaking ahead of the summit, Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“The introduction of buffer zones will be one of the proudest legacies of devolution, and I am delighted that we are so close to delivering it.
“In holding this summit The First Minister is showing clear leadership and defending the right to choose. I am grateful for her support as momentum around the Bill gathers pace.
“This summit will play a key role in ensuring that my Bill is the best and most robust legislation that it can be and that the ban we introduce is watertight.
“Abortion rights are healthcare and they must be protected and expanded.
"Nobody should be obstructed or harassed when accessing healthcare, yet, far many people across Scotland have to endure a gauntlet of intimidation and abuse.
“The 12,000 responses that I received for my consultation show the strength of feeling. It is time to stop the harassment and end these protests for good.
“The precedent that was set in Northern Ireland was historic, and I hope that Scotland can follow it as soon as possible.”
