The Christian social policy charity CARE is urging the Scottish government to reject new proposals which would allow abortion up to birth.
The proposals have been put forward by The Abortion Law Reform Expert Group which was commissioned by the Scottish government to review the existing law. It’s chaired by Professor Anna Glasier and includes the former First Minister Humza Yousaf. It has made its final recommendations to the Scottish Government on changing Scotland's current abortion law.
The existing law says abortion post-24 weeks is only allowed in cases of 'serious handicap', or if the mother's life is at risk.
The group’s recommendations want abortion to be allowed for any reason up to birth, provided two healthcare professionals agree 'in good faith' that an abortion is appropriate.
The proposals also call for safeguards to be removed such as the requirement for two doctors to approve an abortion up to 24 weeks.
James Mildred from CARE told Premier:
“They want to introduce decriminalization, where you basically say, if a woman has an abortion for any reason, there will never be any prospect that she will face criminal sanction. And they also want to water down the conscientious objection parts of the 1967 abortion act. These are the parts that say, if a healthcare professional on conscience grounds, does not want to participate in an abortion, then they have a right to not participate.”
He added that the recommendations would be “a backward step for Scotland, a truly just society will care for women and babies in every stage of the pregnancy.”
CARE for Scotland's Director of Advocacy and Policy, Caroline Ansell, said:
“These extreme proposals to further radicalise Scotland’s abortion law are truly shocking.
“If enacted, we believe they would have heart-breaking consequences for women and babies, including exposing more women to the dangers and harms of late-term abortions.”
Professor Anna Glasier who chairs the Abortion Law Reform Expert Group said:
"The report demonstrates the group's view that it is time for an abortion law that reflects the reality of current clinical practice where abortions are safely provided in the best interests of women."
The Scottish government said it would carefully consider the proposals.