Abortion buffer zones to take effect within weeks
Buffer zones around clinics offering abortion services in Scotland will come into force on 24 September.
The new law will prevent any protests or vigils from taking place within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics around the country.
Opponents had claimed the legislation would infringe on freedom of religion, but it was passed overwhelmingly by MSPs in June.
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Within the buffer zones, it will be a criminal offence to behave in ways that could influence the decisions of women and staff to access services.
Stopping women and staff from entering the clinics or otherwise causing alarm, harassment or distress will also be an offence.
Anyone who breaks the new Safe Access Zone laws could be fined up to £10,000 or an unlimited amount in more serious cases.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0r75n72qzo
Reform will have problems gaining leverage in Scotland even without trying to push yet more fringe views on the populace. These issues were thoroughly aired in Scotland a couple of years ago as the legislation passed through the Scottish Parliament, so there's unlikely to be much appetite for rehashing the arguments any time soon, and their scope as wedge issues has already been more or less wrung dry. The activities of Alliance Defending Freedom and the allied group CARE for Scotland during that period obviously didn't sway the outcome - in fact, may have been counterproductive. If they try more of the same during next year's Scottish Parliament elections, they may hamper Reform's chances of making any inroads despite defections from the Tories (one MSP resigned from the Scottish Conservatives and joined Reform not so long ago - she'll have problems holding on to her seat anyway).
Indeed, pressures on abortion law in Scotland are currently coming from the opposite side of the spectrum (this story was published today):
Scottish abortion law 'not fit for purpose', says expert group
Scotland's abortion laws are "not fit for purpose" according to an expert group, which has called for legal recognition for a woman's right to choose.
Currently, an abortion is only legal before 24 weeks when two doctors agree that certain grounds have been met - such as a risk to the mother's physical or mental health.
An independent report recommends that these grounds are dropped, and doctors' agreement should only be required for late-term abortions after 24 weeks.
The Scottish government said it would carefully consider the proposals and women would continue to be supported to access "safe and timely" services.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crre45x7n8jo
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