Abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ law is discriminatory and ‘lacks clarity’

Christians have expressed concern in regards to the imminent introduction of a ban on pro-life activities near abortion clinics in England and Wales. 

‘Safe access zones’ – also called ‘buffer zones’ – are set to roll out around abortion facilities from 31 October under laws that was passed as a part of the Public Order Act 2023 under the Conservative government. 

The buffer zones extend as much as 150m of an abortion facility and ban “influencing” individuals inside the boundaries. Breaching the terms of the buffer zones carries an infinite positive. 

The Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF UK), which has assisted several pro-life volunteers in buffer zone legal cases, said that the term “influencing” was so broad that it risks criminalising people for consensual conversations or silent thoughts. 

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK, urged the Crown Prosecution Service and College of Policing to issue guidance making clear that freedom of thought and speech are protected within the UK. 

“Good law needs to be clear, consistent and predictable however the buffer zones laws set to be enacted is vague and broadly drafted. By banning ‘influencing’ – a broad and sweeping term – over an area stretching 300m in diameter, the law is wide open to misinterpretation and abuse,” he said. 

“In the places where ‘buffer zones’ exist already under local authorities, we have now already seen three individuals prosecuted over the past two years, simply for praying silently within the privacy of their very own minds.

“Engaging in silent prayer, or consensual conversation, are peaceful acts protected by human rights law. And whilst the federal government has heeded calls to refrain from naming these acts as criminal offences, the brink for criminality stays intolerably unclear.” 

He added, “Thoughtcrimes are for 1984 – not 2024.”

Adam Smith-Connor, a military veteran, is standing trial for praying silently inside an abortion clinic buffer zone in Bournemouth in December 2022.  

In August, pro-life campaigner Isabel Vaughan-Spruce received £13,000 in compensation from West Midlands Police for being wrongfully arrested twice over silent prayer inside an abortion clinic buffer zone. 

The Catholic Church’s lead bishop for all times issues, John Sherrington, called the upcoming ban “an unnecessary and disproportionate step backwards within the protection of non secular and civic freedoms in England and Wales”. 

He said that existing law was sufficient to guard women from harassment and intimidation, and that the ban lacked clarity around prayer and offers of help. 

“In practice, and despite some other intention, this laws constitutes discrimination and disproportionately affects people of religion,” he said.

“Religious freedom is the foundational freedom of any free and democratic society, essential for the flourishing and realisation of dignity of each human person. Religious freedom includes the proper to manifest one’s private beliefs in public through witness, prayer and charitable outreach, including outside abortion facilities.

“As well as being unnecessary and disproportionate, we have now deep concerns around the sensible effectiveness of this laws, particularly given the shortage of clarity in relation to the practice of personal prayer and offers of help inside ‘secure access zones’.”