Response 876559081

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Your views on the purpose of the Bill

Do you agree with the overall purpose of the Bill? (Please tick one option)

Please select one item
(Required)
Yes
Partially
No
Don't know

Reasons for views on the Bill (No)

Why do you oppose this Bill? (Please tick all that apply):

Please select all that apply
I think that protesters offer help to people seeking an abortion
I am concerned about the right to protest
I feel that the Bill will impact upon human rights
I feel that sufficient legislation already exists
Other [please provide further details]

Provisions in the Bill

Do you agree that the Safe Access Zone radius around protected premises should be set at 200 metres?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't Know
Please provide reasons for your answer using the box provided below.
safe access zones are unnecessary, disproportionate, intolerant and are an attack on civil liberties, including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, the right to respect for private and family life, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Many years of Freedom of Information requests to Police Scotland and NHS Health Boards confirm that there are no records of any arrests, charges or cautions related to pro-life vigils. The Bill, as introduced, admits to only 16 known ‘incidents’ in the period January – October 2022.

What is your view on the proposed processes within the Bill to extend or reduce Safe Access Zone distances around protected premises in the event that 200m is not appropriate?

Please provide your response in the box provided below.
Safe access zones are unnecessary for the reasons outlined in the answer to the previous question.

Do you agree with the definition of “protected premises” outlined in the Bill and its accompanying documents?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please provide reasons for your answer using the box provided below.
Notwithstanding opposition to the Bill in principle, the definition of ‘protected premises’ is extremely wide and is worded as such to potentially include GP surgeries, sexual health clinics, pharmacies and counselling services which could result in hundreds more zones being set up and thus hundreds more locations where basic human rights are infringed and offers of support denied to vulnerable women.

Do you feel the criminal offences created by the Bill are proportionate in terms of the activities they cover?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please provide reasons for your answer using the box provided below.
The proposed law is unnecessary, disproportionate and an infringement on fundamental freedoms. The law itself is, therefore, inappropriate.

Do you feel that the penalty for offences related to the Bill is appropriate?

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Yes
No
Don't know
Please provide reasons for your answer in the box provided below.
The criminal offences are a disproportionate attack on fundamental freedoms. Existing law is adequate to deal with any serious problems which arise at pro-life vigils and it is notable that Police Scotland have not called for more powers.
It is extraordinary that the Bill proposes criminalising actions inside a private home, school or church.
The purpose of the Bill extends far beyond the unproven requirement to protect women. The broad scope of the Bill intends to criminalise any expression of a pro-life view. The associated Delegated Powers Memorandum (29) confirms “Every effort has been made… to mitigate against changes to… how anti-abortion activity may be expressed.”

What are your views on the impact of the Bill upon the rights enshrined under Articles 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights?

Please provide your views in the box provided below.
The offences in the Bill are a direct attack on all of the listed rights.
The basic rights of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Assembly and Association will be seriously impacted by the proposals, as the Bill will criminalise people for expressing certain views and gathering in certain locations. This could be replicated for other peaceful gatherings such as Corpus Christi processions, and prayerful gatherings at Faslane and Dungavel Detention Centre.
The Bill criminalises prayer and is thus an attack on Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion.
The Right to Respect for Private and Family Life is under threat from the criminalisation of prayer and the inclusion of nearby residential buildings in the proposed legislation.

Do you think that the Bill’s intended policy outcomes could be achieved through another means, such as existing legislation?

Please provide your response in the box provided below.
Yes, as explained in previous answers, existing legislation is sufficient; peaceful vigils have existed for many years in Scotland and the Police are not asking for more powers.
The Scottish Parliament should engage with all viewpoints in constructive dialogue. It is noted that pro-life groups were excluded from all “Abortion Summits” convened by the Scottish Government in 2022.

Do you have any further comments to make about the provisions in the Bill?

Please provide your response in the box below.
It is incredible that in the 21st Century, after all the people have suffered in the past to establish the right to religious freedom, prayer, and peaceful expression of one's views, that these rights should now be sought to be eroded, even in one's own home or at a church! What has this State come to, that this suggestion, in clear contravention of basic Human Rights enshrined in European law, can be promoted and to the exclusion of those who are directly affected by it?