Supreme Court decision on buffer zones a historic day for reproductive rights
The Scottish Greens have hailed the UK Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a ban on protests outside medical facilities providing abortion services in Northern Ireland as “a truly historic day”.
The party’s spokesperson Gillian Mackay MSP said it set a vital precedent for her own Bill at Holyrood, which seeks to introduce a similar ban in Scotland.
In a judgement handed down this morning, the Court unanimously supported the legality of the Bill, which was passed by the Northern Irish Assembly in March following its introduction by former Green MLA Clare Bailey.
It was referred to the Supreme Court following a challenge by anti-choice campaigners.
Speaking after the verdict, Ms Mackay said:
“This is a very welcome decision, and a truly historic day for reproductive rights. It will provide vital and much needed protections.
“Abortion rights are healthcare, and this sets a crucial precedent for the introduction of my Bill to introduce buffer zones in Scotland.
“The 12,000 responses that I received for my consultation show the strength of feeling. All over the world, anti-choice activists are trying to crackdown on abortion rights. We can’t stand still, and must always be looking to entrench and expand those rights.
“Nobody should be obstructed or harassed when accessing healthcare, yet, all across Scotland, people are being forced to endure a gauntlet of graphic images and abuse when accessing abortion services.
“This is totally wrong and I look forward to the day when my Bill will end such shameful scenes for good.”
