Praying in public to be criminalised in Britain
Precious Life have condemned the UK Government’s announcement that exclusion zones will come into force around baby-killing centres in England and Wales from 31 October.
The so-called "buffer zones" will ban and criminalise women and men who pray within a 150 metre radius of an abortion centre. The BBC reports that “silent prayer” will also be banned by this law. Britain’s largest abortion provider BPAS said the draconian law “can't come soon enough" and will address “the harm” caused by silent prayer.
Anyone found guilty of praying will now face extortionate fines starting at £5000 and upwards with no limit.
Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth said, “This exclusion zones legislation is so broad and sweeping that it will be a crime to DO ANYTHING near a baby-killing centre that might ‘influence’ someone. Holding a sign; distributing leaflets; talking to a woman to offer her help, or simply praying silently outside an abortion centre will now be a criminal offence.”
She added, "These zones have serious implication for the rights to free speech and assembly of ALL people. Free speech denied anywhere is a threat to free speech everywhere. If pro-life prayer vigils can be banned and criminalised, then public speech, assembly or protest on any other issue can also be banned and criminalised.”
A ban will also come into force in Scotland on 24 September. A similar ban was introduced in Northern Ireland last year.
Bernadette Smyth concluded, "We were not deterred when these draconian exclusion zones were enforced in Northern Ireland. We encourage other pro-life groups across Britain to follow Precious Life’s lead of stepping up and redoubling our efforts in public awareness campaigns to expose the horrific reality of what abortion does to an innocent baby in the womb, and the devastating emotional and physical harm it causes to women.”