Not only is praying in public now criminalised in Scotland, but also private expressions of pro-life beliefs in people's own homes
Precious Life has condemned the draconian exclusion zones that have come into force around baby-killing centres in Scotland.
The Scottish Government will now criminalise women and men who pray within a 200 metre radius of an abortion centre. This includes criminalising "praying audibly" and "silent vigils". Anyone found guilty of praying will now face extortionate fines with no upward limit.
Not only is public prayer now a criminal offence, but the law also bans anyone from privately expressing their pro-life beliefs within their own home, or in churches or schools that happen to be situated within the exclusion zones. Placing a pro-life sign in the window of a private home – for example, the Bible quote “CHOOSE LIFE” - could be considered “criminal behaviour.”
In England and Wales, praying outside baby-killing centres will also become a criminal offence from 31 October. A similar ban was already introduced in Northern Ireland last year.
Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth said, “Across the whole of the UK, people praying outside abortion centres will be branded as ‘criminals’ and arrested by police, while the real criminals inside who are murdering babies are paid and praised by the Government.”
She added, "These zones have serious implications for everyone’s right to free speech and freedom of expression. When these zones were enforced in Northern Ireland, we warned that freedom of speech and expression denied anywhere is a threat to these rights everywhere. Now we see in Scotland, people will be denied freedom of expression in their own homes.”
Bernadette Smyth concluded, "These draconian exclusion zones have been enforced in Northern Ireland for a year now. But we are not deterred. On the streets of Northern Ireland, we continue to be a voice for the unborn child. We encourage the pro-life people of Scotland to follow Precious Life’s lead and step up and redouble their efforts to publicly expose the horrific reality of what abortion does to an innocent baby, and the devastating emotional and physical harm it causes to women.”