‘Milestone for women’s rights’ as abortion buffer zones law gets Royal Assent

Legislation that creates buffer zones around clinics where abortions are carried out has received Royal Assent – with the MSP who spearheaded the new law hailing the moment as a “key milestone for women’s rights”.

Holyrood overwhelmingly backed the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill in June, with only one MSP, SNP backbencher John Mason, voting against the legislation.

Now the Act, which sets out to create 200-metre zones around medical facilities where terminations are performed – preventing anti-abortion protesters from gathering – has gained Royal Assent.

Green MSP Gillian Mackay introduced the legislation in a bid to prevent women attending at clinics and staff working there from suffering from harassment and intimidation.

Today the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill became an Act!!!!

A really nice way to come back from honeymoon.

Looking forward to getting a commencement date ASAP for the Act so that we can see an end to protests outside hospitals.
— Gillian Mackay MSP (@GillianMacMSP) July 22, 2024

She said: “This is really welcome news and a key milestone for women’s rights and reproductive rights in Scotland. Buffer zones are coming.”

A commencement date for when the legislation will come into force will be confirmed “as soon as possible” with Mackay saying this would “stop the protests for good”.

Green MSP Gillian Mackay said she would confirm a date when the legislation would come into force ‘as soon as possible’ (Jane Barlow/PA). PA Media

The Green MSP added: “At heart, my Act is very simple, and means that nobody can be targeted, harassed or obstructed when they are accessing healthcare.

“I was moved to introduce the legislation after seeing shocking footage of braying protesters with megaphones and banners shouting at women outside a hospital in broad daylight.

“I was shocked and angry, and determined to put an end to it as soon as possible.

“It has been a long journey for us to get here, and a lot of people have done a lot of crucial work to make it possible.”

She thanked the Scottish Government for supporting the legislation, as well as campaigners who pushed for the change, including the Back Off Scotland group and Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Committee.

Mackay added: “I would especially like to thank everyone who shared often traumatic experiences with me and ensured that we delivered the most robust Act that we could.”