Scottish government urged to reject ‘extreme’ abortion as much as birth proposals

Christian and pro-life groups are calling on the Scottish government to reject “extreme” proposals to permit abortion as much as birth.

The controversial advice was made by a gaggle commissioned by the Scottish government to review current abortion law in Scotland. It published its final recommendations to the Scottish government on Friday. 

They include removing the present safeguard of two doctors signing off on abortion and the availability of specified grounds for abortion as much as 24 weeks. Adopting the group’s plans would mean legalising abortion on demand abortion, for any reason, as much as 24 weeks.

More controversially, the report recommends that abortion be allowed for any reason as much as birth where two healthcare professionals agree ‘in good faith’ that it is suitable. Current law in Scotland only permits abortion after 24 weeks in cases of ‘serious handicap’, or if the mother’s life is in danger. 

Furthermore, the report states that “no specific reference is made to sex-selective abortion inside any updated abortion laws”. 

Additional proposals within the report include introducing “an obligation to offer abortion services”, effectively enshrining in law a ‘right to abortion’, and repealing The Concealment of Birth (Scotland) Act, which might remove the offence of concealing the disposal of babies aborted at home. 

The report does allow for conscientious objection but health professionals who exercise this right still have an obligation to refer.

Christian advocacy group, CARE for Scotland, called the proposals “extreme” and “truly shocking”.

The organisation’s Director of Advocacy and Policy, Caroline Ansell, said: “If enacted, we imagine they’d have heart-breaking consequences for girls and babies, including exposing more women to the risks and harms of late-term abortions.

“If taken up by the Scottish Government, it could be a retrograde and backwards step.

“We imagine in every pregnancy each lives matter and a very just society protects women and babies at every stage of the pregnancy.”

The Abortion Law Reform Expert Group was arrange by former First Minister Humza Yousaf and chaired by Professor Anna Glasier, a former trustee of abortion provider BPAS. The 13-member group also included current BPAS head of advocacy, Rachael Clarke.

Right to Life UK said that there was a “conflict of interest” within the composition of the group and that it was “grossly inappropriate” to incorporate individuals with close ties to abortion providers.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), which was also critical of the group’s composition, branded the proposals “destructive” and “disastrous for the ladies and future generations of Scotland”. It is looking for Scottish lawmakers to “see sense” and reject the proposals.

Michael Robinson, SPUC General Secretary said, “While we expected the report back to call for the extension of abortion, given the group was made up of ‘experts’ who concentrate on abortion provision, we could never have imagined the proposals could be so destructive. 

“If taken, these proposals would mean abortion as much as birth with practically no restrictions. There is an entire disregard for any rights afforded to the unborn child, recognised in international law.

“This extension of the law doesn’t reflect the desire of the general public, the vast majority of whom are usually not in favour of extending the abortion closing date. 

“We strongly urge Scottish legislators to see sense ignore these proposals and as an alternative consider laws that protects the vulnerable and safeguards the long run of this country.”

Right to Life UK said the proposed changes “go far beyond the already extreme current proposals in England and Wales, which might only amend the law for girls performing their very own abortions”, and take Scotland well beyond the European Union average, where most countries have a 12-week limit.

It warned that the plans are prone to result in a rise within the variety of viable babies being aborted beyond 24 weeks and the purpose at which they’re prone to survive outside the womb. 

It argued that determining the appropriacy of abortion after 24 weeks could be highly subjective and that this might end in late-term abortions being approved on purely social grounds. 

The liberalisation of current laws may give rise to abortion “tourism”, with women coming from other parts of the UK and even around the globe to have late-term abortions in Scotland, the group said. 

Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Right To Life UK, said: “This report is some of the extreme in UK parliamentary history, drawn up by radical activists whose views don’t align with public opinion and who stand to achieve from their proposals.

“What is being suggested is an extreme and inhumane change to the law, which polling shows is widely opposed by women.”

It added, “The Scottish Government should provide more support for girls facing unplanned pregnancies, slightly than seek to introduce an extreme law change that will make it legal to finish a baby’s life right as much as once they are about to be born.”