Northern Ireland’s leading pro-life group Precious Life has condemned a Bill to criminalise women and men who take part in pro-life vigils outside abortion centres. Precious Life say the Bill is draconian, oppressive and discriminatory, and must be challenged.
Green Party Leader Clare Bailey introduced the Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly to criminalise pro-life people outside abortion centres. The First Stage of her so-called ‘Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones)’ was introduced on 13 September and the Second Stage is still to be scheduled.
Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth said, “The explanatory notes state the purpose of the Bill is to ‘…make it a CRIME to DO ANYTHING…’ outside an abortion centre ‘…which might influence a person in their decision to attend…’ an abortion centre.
“The Bill states the purpose of the zones is to ensure pro-life people ‘…are criminalised’ for any actions within a zone which may have the effect of ‘influencing’ persons accessing the abortion centre.
“Therefore, simply holding a sign; distributing information leaflets; talking to a women to offer her help, or even praying outside an abortion centre will be ‘…punishable on conviction by fines’ up to £2500
“The Bill also gives police the power to ‘…use reasonable force’ to physically ‘…remove’ a pro-life person from the zones.
“Clare Bailey’s abortion zones are discriminatory as they would only target pro-life groups. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights – both protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act.”
Mrs Smyth added, “Clare Bailey is a hypocrite. She demands ‘safe access’ to abortion centres, but completely ignore the reality that babies are being killed inside these centres. The ultimate safe zone for unborn babies should be in their mothers’ wombs.
“Also, Clare Bailey and other pro-abortionists who campaigned to legalise abortion in Northern Ireland, continually said women should not be criminalised. Now her Bill actually states in black ad white that pro-life women outside abortion centres must be ‘criminalised.’
“We are urging the people of Northern Ireland to contact their Assembly Members and ask them to oppose this draconian and oppressive Bill.
“Clare Bailey wants to cancel the Right to Assembly and the Right to Free Speech. But Precious Life reiterate that the right to freedom of assembly and right to freedom of expression are fundamental human rights. If this Bill is passed, we will challenge it through our local courts, the High Court, the Supreme Court, and if need be, right up to the European Court of Human Rights.”
Bernadette Smyth concluded, “Our vigils in Northern Ireland will continue offering help and life-affirming alternatives to women outside the abortion centres. We will never stop actively protecting unborn babies — when and wherever their lives are in danger of abortion.”
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CLANRYE NEWS 