Ask your MP to oppose Rupa Huq’s abortion clinic censorship zone amendment
UPDATE: Thanks to the support of people like you, on Monday 5 July, a major attempt to hijack the UK Government’s flagship Police , Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill with two extreme abortion proposals failed, in a major pro-life victory.
Now we need MPs to support the Abortion (Cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot) Bill.
Please take 30 seconds now to email your MP asking them to support the Bill which will stop abortion being available up to birth for cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot.
update
This tool has now closed.
Thanks to the support of people like you, on Monday 5 July, a major attempt to hijack the UK Government’s flagship Police , Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill with two extreme abortion proposals failed, in a major pro-life victory.
Now we need MPs to support the Abortion (Cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot) Bill.
Please take 30 seconds now to email your MP asking them to support the Bill which will stop abortion being available up to birth for cleft lip, cleft palate and club foot.
Censorship zones (also known as ‘buffer’ or ‘safe’ zones) would effectively ban volunteers from peacefully praying and offering support to women entering abortion clinics. Yet hundreds of women have been helped by pro-life vigils, and current laws protect women if they face harassment.
This amendment (NC42) would criminalise people who interfere “with any person’s decision to access, provide, or facilitate the provision of abortion services in that buffer zone”. However, “interferes with” is very broadly defined and would include anyone who “informs or attempts to inform about abortion services by any means” within 150 metres of an abortion clinic.
Under the terms of the amendment, a person guilty of offence is liable, in the first instance, to imprisonment for up to 6 months and/or an unlimited fine, and on further instances up to 2 years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
A large review undertaken by the Home Office concluded that “[…] introducing national buffer zones would not be a proportionate response, considering the experiences of the majority of hospitals and clinics, and considering that the majority of activities are more passive in nature. In making my decision, I am also aware that legislation already exists to restrict protest activities that cause harm to others”.
Polling from Savanta ComRes released this week shows that only 21% of the population support the introduction of nationwide ‘censorship zones’ around abortion clinics, with support dropping to 15% for 18 to 34-year-olds.
Please enter your postcode in the box above to email your MP requesting they oppose the amendment tabled by Rupa Huq MP today to introduce censorship zones outside abortion clinics.
