Anti-abortion protesters will have to campaign outside the exclusion zone once the bill becomes law
(Picture: AFP/Getty Images)MPs have backed proposals to enforce buffer zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales in a major win for abortion providers.
Under the proposed law, harassing, obstructing or interfering with any woman attending an abortion clinic will become a criminal offence. Protesters found guilty of breaching the buffer zones – which would extend 150 metres from the clinics – could face up to six months in jail.
The House of Commons voted by 297 to 110 in favour of the amendment, pushed by a cross-party group of MPs, to the government’s public order bill.
Currently, police and local authorities can apply to set up zones in response to complaints over protests, but these can face legal challenges from anti-abortion campaigners.
MPs were given a free vote on the matter.
The Labour MP Stella Creasy, who proposed the new rules, said buffer zones protect “women accessing a very specific type of healthcare”.
Creasy said: “It does not stop free speech on abortion. It does not stop people protesting. It simply says you shouldn’t have the right to do this in the face of somebody – and very often these people are right up in front of people.”
The bill still has several stages to clear before becoming law, including scrutiny in the House of Lords.
What are abortion buffer zones?
A “buffer zone” stops anti-abortion protesters or any other types of demonstrators standing outside the clinic or hospital or in the near vicinity.
The new measure implements exclusion areas around abortion clinics and hospitals – making it an offence to impede or harass women using the services or staff delivering them.
Offenders could face up to six months in prison for a first offence or as long as two years if they perpetrate additional crimes, with the “buffer zone” covering 150 metres from an abortion clinic.
Local councils were already able to introduce “buffer zones” under legislation dating from 2014.
Ealing council in west London established the country’s first buffer zone around a Marie Stopes clinic in 2018, and other councils have proposed similar schemes.
Similar legislation has been proposed in Scotland. In June, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said the Scottish government would back a member’s bill that would place 150-metre no-go areas outside health facilities so women could access services without fear, harassment or intimidation.
How do they protect women?
Anti-abortion protests outside clinics in recent years have included displaying graphic images of foetuses, filming women and staff members and large gatherings singing hymns.
Some protesters have hung baby clothes around clinic entrances and called women “murderers" as they enter clinics, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said.
As it now stands the bill would ban influencing, impeding or threatening, intimidating or harassing, advising or persuading, using graphic, physical, verbal or written means to inform attendees about abortion services.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said the amendment would protect women and healthcare workers from harassment.
BPAS chief executive Clare Murphy said: "Every year, around 100,000 women are treated by a clinic or hospital for an abortion that is targeted by anti-abortion protests.
"These groups attempt to deter or prevent women from accessing abortion care by displaying graphic images of foetuses, calling women ‘murderers’, and hanging baby clothing around clinic entrances, causing women significant distress. Today’s vote will bring an end to this activity."
