The Scottish Parliament has moved a step closer to sanctioning the “world’s most extreme buffer zone law" that could criminalise "private thoughts", while acknowledging the difficulties in policing the law, especially when it comes to silent prayer.
The proposed “safe access zone” that the law would establish includes not only the facility – usually a hospital or clinic – in which abortions are performed, but also land within 200 meters of the edge of the protected premises. The proposed law says the 200 meters may be extended by the Scottish government following an application by the relevant Health Board or health provider.
