Scottish Government must reaffirm support for watertight buffer zone Bill
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has called on the Scottish Government to reaffirm its support for her Safe Access Zones Bill and a watertight ban on protests within 200 metres of abortion service providers.
In November 2023 the new Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, appeared to indicate support for allowing ‘silent prayer’ protests.
Ms Mackay’s Bill was supported by an overwhelming majority of MSPs at the stage one vote on principles, where it passed by 123 votes to 1. It will now proceed to stage 2 where it will receive further scrutiny, before a final vote at stage 3.
In a letter to the new First Minister, John Swinney, Ms Mackay wrote “Will you commit to supporting the legislation and the implementation of my Safe Access Zones Bill, and ensure that the Scottish Government will not support any attempts to water down protections or change the timetable of the Bill?”
Speaking after sending the letter, Ms Mackay said: “The protests we have seen outside hospitals are absolutely wrong. They set out to intimidate, harass and deter people from accessing healthcare that they are entitled to.
“I would be very concerned if the Scottish Government was to support any amendments that could undermine or water down the protections that are included in my Bill. A so-called ‘silent prayer’ exemption, for example, would risk making the Bill far less effective and allow some of the protests and the pain that people feel to continue.
“I hope that the First Minister will reaffirm his government’s support for my Bill, and that he will oppose any attempts to dilute it. Far too many people have suffered for far too long. All politicians need to stand together in defence of reproductive rights and the right to access healthcare.”
Text of the letter that Gillian Mackay sent First Minister John Swinney on 10th May 2024
Dear First Minister
I congratulate you on your recent appointment.
As you know my Proposed Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill is currently working through parliament and, on April 30 2024, it passed its stage one vote with the overwhelming support of our parliament.
The stage two sessions will begin on the 28th of May where the Health, Social Care and Sport committee will scrutinise and debate amendments to the Bill.
Some supporters of the Bill are concerned that a change in Government may result in changes to the provisions that would weaken the effects of the Bill.
To date, I have been grateful for the support I have received from the Scottish Government, and from the last two First Minister’s in particular.
Will you commit to supporting the legislation and the implementation of my Safe Access Zones Bill, and ensure that the Scottish Government will not support any attempts to water down protections or change the timetable of the Bill?
Many thanks
Gillian Mackay
