PRESS RELEASE

Caroline responds to anti-abortion campaigners: “The right to peaceful protest and free speech can be upheld without infringing upon a woman’s fundamental right to make her own sexual health choices and access what can be critical health treatment – these must be intimidation-free zones”

CAROLINE has responded to anti-abortion activists who have claimed the Pavilion candidate is ‘waging war on free speech’

In December Caroline tabled an Early Day Motion and called on the Government to legislate to protect women and staff attending abortion clinics and pregnancy advisory services.

She acted amid concern at an apparent escalation in anti-abortion activity at the centres - including outside the Wistons Clinic, in her Pavilion constituency. Many constituents had raised their concerns at tactics apparently being employed by campaigners outside the centre.

Backing the British Pregnancy Advisory Service's (BPAS) ‘Back Off’ campaign, Caroline urged the Secretary of State to enforce “buffer zones” outside reproductive health clinics to ensure women were not intimidated or obstructed from accessing confidential advice and treatment. While a number of alternative measures were explored, it became apparent that the police had little influence over the tactics employed by some anti-abortion campaigners at the clinics.

Demonstrating in the city against Caroline’s support for buffer zones, the anti-abortion campaign group Abort67 claimed Caroline was “waging war on free speech”. Anonymous leaflets have been handed out suggesting the introduction of buffer zones “will prohibit peaceful protest and endanger free speech everywhere”. They wrongly suggest that unions, workers and human rights groups could likewise be impacted by the zones.

The activists have issued leaflets urging voters to protest at the ballot box by boycotting the ‘anti democratic’ Caroline, Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, on May 7.

Caroline, named MP of the Year 2014, is renowned for her relentless championing of human rights and right to free speech, locally and nationally.

Responding to the campaigners’ claims, Caroline said: “This isn’t about shutting down debate. It’s about the balance of rights. The right to peaceful protest and free speech can be upheld without infringing upon a woman’s fundamental right to make her own sexual health choices and access what can be critical health treatment. The Government has a duty to ensure these legal healthcare services can continue to operate and be accessed safely - and I strongly urge it to legislate to that effect. These must be intimidation-free zones and to suggest a buffer zone could have a wider impact is simply false – the EDM is clear for all to see.”

She added: “Approaching and recording women, handing them misleading information and distressing images, can constitute intimidation and jeopardise their ability to access services and advice. Buffer zones outside clinics are key – they would help ensure staff and women can access legal health services.”

BPAS Brighton Clinic manager Darren Jefferson said:  “BPAS Brighton has struggled to deal with the immense distress Abort67 causes local women, our staff and residents and the police have consistently said they are unable to help. The staff and patients at Wistons clinic are really grateful for Caroline’s support – we hope this campaign means the police will be given the power to protect women from anti-abortion groups.”

Clare Murphy, Director of External Affairs at BPAS said: “Anti-abortion activism targeting women and clinics has increased over recent years, placing an intolerable strain on women needing services and causing disruption and distress to local communities. It has become clear that the only way to tackle this effectively is through the creation of buffer or safe spaces around pregnancy advice and abortion centres.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have in Caroline an MP who understands the impact these regular demonstrations have on women, healthcare staff providing women’s care and those who live and work nearby.  This kind of anti-abortion activity is not unique to Brighton but replicated outside clinics around the country. We hope that the EDM encourages many more MPs around the country to confront this issue in the way Caroline has and demonstrate their support for the ‘Back Off’ campaign.  The vast majority of us support women’s right to access abortion services free from intimidation – and now is the time to work together for women across the UK.”

ENDS

NOTES:

·         You can access Caroline’s EDM for buffer zones around abortion clinics and pregnancy advisory bureaux here

·         Caroline has also tabled some Parliamentary Questions on the issue. You can see them here and here

·         You can find out more about BPAS here and more about its Back Off campaign here