Cunovic also warned of the danger to democracy posed by laws like this, since “today the voice of pro-life people is being silenced, but tomorrow that law may prohibit something else. You could say: 'From now on we don't like this particular option.' With that we are killing democratic discourse and that’s a great danger for democracy.”
However, the 40 Days for Life leader still hopes there will be judges who "apply the law and protect citizens," because those standing outside abortion clinics "aren’t criminals, they’re citizens who pay their taxes, who work and have the right to go out and be in public space. Because in this multicultural and pluralistic society, everyone has their right and their space,” he stressed.
Finally he said that “it’s surprising that you can defend all the interests you want, but pro-lifers have to keep quiet. You can’t say this or that on this issue because someone is offended. It’s a form of persecution against the Christian voice and Christian values.”
The Congress of Deputies voted to take up consideration of the bill in September by a vote of 199 to 144, with two abstentions. Only the two largest opposition parties, the People's Party and Vox, voted against it.
Several locales have in recent years considered or adopted “buffer zones” around abortion clinics that limit free speech in the protected areas.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is considering such a proposal, and Scotland’s Green Party has urged the adoption of one.
Proposals for buffer zones around abortion clinics throughout England and Wales were rejected as disproportionate by the then-British Home Secretary in September 2018, after finding that most abortion protests are peaceful and passive.
The typical activities of those protesting outside of abortion clinics in England and Wales “include praying, displaying banners and handing out leaflets,” Sajid Javid noted.
In England, a buffer zone was imposed by Ealing Council, in west London, around a Marie Stopes abortion clinic in April 2018. The zone prevents any pro-life gathering or speech, including prayer, within about 330 feet of the clinic.
The Ealing buffer zone was cited by Javid as an example of a local government using civil legislation “to restrict harmful protest activities,” rather than a nationwide policy.
Spain correspondent for ACI Prensa (https://www.aciprensa.com) / ACI Group. She has a degree in Journalism and specialized in Social and Religious Information. Blanca spent 4 years in Rome covering information from the Vatican and major events, such as the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave that elected Pope Francis.
E-mail: blanca@aciprensa.com