Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024
| Act of the Scottish Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act of the Scottish Parliament to create safe access zones around premises that provide treatment for the termination of pregnancy authorised under the Abortion Act 1967. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2024 asp 10 |
| Introduced by | Gillian Mackay |
| Territorial extent | Scotland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 22 July 2024 |
Status: Unknown | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Gillian Mackay, Scottish Greens MSP for Central Scotland on 5 October 2023. It received Royal assent on 22 July 2024 and became an Act of the Scottish Parliament. The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Scotland) 2024 creates safe access zones around abortion clinics in Scotland with a radius of 200 metres.
History
On 14 April 2022, there was a protest of 100 people outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital held by the anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life.[1]
The Northern Ireland Assembly passed similar legislation in 2023: the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act (Northern Ireland) 2023. The UK Parliament included a section which created safe zones for abortion clinics in the Public Order Act 2023.
The Royal College of Nursing Scotland released a statement in support of the bill in December 2023.[2]
On 25 March 2024, there was a large protest outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.[3]
In April, experts questioned why the law created 200-metre safe access zones rather than 150-metre safe access zones, but Gillian Mackay said she was resisting a change and intended to keep the 200-metre restrictions.[4]
On 22 July 2024, the legislation gained Royal Assent.[5]
In February 2025, American vice president JD Vance referred to the legislation indirectly during his speech at the Munich Security Conference.[6] Vance included such governmental activity among supposed examples of an internal threat to European democracy.[7] The Scottish government said Vance's comments were incorrect; Mackay said Vance was dispensing "total nonsense and dangerous scaremongering".[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Doctors' concerns over hospital abortion demos". BBC. London. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ RCN Scotland's response to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for views on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill (PDF) (Report). Scotland: Royal College of Nursing. 14 December 2023. p. 2. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
While we have not received a significant number of representations from members who feel threatened by protests at sites, we strongly support the principle that staff and services users should be able to access protected premises without any impediment or fear. We therefore support the creation of safe access zones around protected premises.
- ^ Suter, Ruth (25 March 2024). "Anti-abortion protestors accused of repeated harassment as 100 gather outside Scots hospital". Daily Record. Glasgow. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Bonar, Megan (30 April 2024). "MSPs back abortion clinic buffer zone bill at first stage". BBC. London. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ PA Media (23 July 2024). "'Milestone for women's rights' as abortion buffer zones law gets Royal Assent". STV News. Glasgow. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b Geddes, Jonathan (15 February 2025). "JD Vance abortion buffer zone comments 'dangerous'". BBC. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ Gilchrist, Karen (14 February 2025). "JD Vance criticizes European democracy, says greatest threat is 'from within'". CNBC. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
External links
- Scottish Government publication about abortion services and Safe Access Zones