Greens: buffer zone pilots very welcome but national solution is vital
The Scottish Greens health spokesperson, Gillian Mackay MSP, has welcomed moves to use Council bye-laws to create buffer zones that would prevent the harassment of people who are accessing abortion services.
Gillian is currently taking a Member’s Bill through Parliament that would create national buffer zones. The consultation that she introduced received 12,000 responses. Her Bill has been supported by BMA Scotland and the Royal College of GPs.
Speaking after today's meeting, which was convened by Scotland’s First Minister and also attended by local authority representatives, Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“Abortion rights are human rights. Nobody should be intimidated or abused when accessing healthcare. I commend all of the local authorities who are willing to look at their bye-laws. I hope that today’s meeting can move us a big step closer to stopping the shocking protests that we have seen from anti-choice campaigners.”
“We also need a national solution. What we can’t have is postcode lottery, whereby some people are able to access abortion services without fear of harassment in some parts of the country, but others are not. I want to ensure that all people have the same rights regardless of where they live.”
“That is why I have introduced my Member’s Bill and why I will be working with the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties to progress the legislation as quickly as possible. This kind of harassment must be stopped. It has no place in a modern, caring, compassionate Scotland.”
