buffer zones

The Latest

The flag of Scotland.

New bill introduces world’s most extreme abortion buffer zone law to Scotland

Oct 14, 2023

By Madeleine Teahan

The bill, if passed, would make any form of pro-life outreach or demonstration within 656 feet of an abortion clinic... Read more

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce

Charges dropped, for now, against woman arrested for praying silently outside UK abortion clinic

Feb 3, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce says the charges still could be revived, leaving her in an ambitious legal situation. Read more

Adam Smith-Connor was fined for “praying for [his] son, who is deceased” near an abortion facility in Bournemouth, England.

Second bystander ensnared by English ban on prayer outside abortion clinics

Jan 22, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Amid continuing controversy over strict limits on behavior outside abortion clinics in some English cities, a man faces a fine... Read more

CNA

Legal scrutiny delays Northern Ireland limits on pro-life outreach at abortion clinics

May 16, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Attorney General for Northern Ireland, Brenda King, has asked the U.K. Supreme Court to rule whether a ban on... Read more

Eleanor McCullen testifies during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, March 24, 2022.

Pro-life sidewalk counselor testifies at Ketanji Brown Jackson hearings

Mar 25, 2022

By Katie Yoder

A pro-life sidewalk counselor expressed concern before members of the Senate Thursday that Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson has... Read more

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Abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ bill to become law in Northern Ireland

Mar 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The bill makes it a criminal offense for pro-lifers to engage in ‘influencing’ women inside ‘safe access zones.’ Read more

Pro life protesters outsider the Belfast High court, as Northern Ireland abortion laws were being challenged. Belfast, UK. Oct. 3, 2019

Abortion buffer zones: Pro-lifers accuse Northern Ireland human rights commissioner of ‘weasel words’

Dec 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

A new bill would criminalize pro-lifers found ‘influencing’ women inside buffer zones. Read more

A 40 Days for Life prayer vigil outside an abortion clinic in Madrid.

Spanish bill that would criminalize prayer near abortion clinics called a 'danger to democracy'

Nov 11, 2021

By Blanca Ruiz

An international 40 Days for Life director has said a bill proposed by the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party that... Read more

A 40 Days for Life prayer vigil outside an abortion clinic in Madrid.

Spain's lower house advances bill that would criminalize pro-life witness near abortion clinics

Sep 22, 2021

By Blanca Ruiz

The lower house of Spain's legislature voted Tuesday to take up consideration of a bill proposed by the ruling Spanish... Read more

The March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2017.

Spanish bishop cricitizes bill that would criminalize pro-life witness near abortion clinics

Jun 9, 2021

By Blanca Ruiz

The secretary general of the Spanish bishops’ conference on Saturday questioned on Twitter a bill proposed by the ruling Spanish... Read more

People praying at an abortion clinic.

Spanish bill would criminalize pro-life witness near abortion clinics

May 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

A bill proposed last week by the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party would criminalize “harassment” of women entering abortion clinics. Read more

The March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2018.

City repeals law limiting pro-life outreach at Mississippi’s sole abortion clinic

Nov 18, 2020

A law that curtailed pro-life outreach at the last abortion clinic in Mississippi has been repealed by the city of... Read more

UK government to permit elective abortion in N Ireland up to 12 weeks

Mar 26, 2020

The British government has published its legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland, which will come into force March... Read more

Push for buffer zones in Ireland follows pro-life vigil outside Dublin hospital

Jan 2, 2020

By Matt Hadro

A pro-life rosary vigil on New Year’s Day outside Dublin’s National Maternity Hospital sparked calls by abortion supporters for “exclusion... Read more

N Ireland abortion law plans 'devastating', pro-life leader objects

Nov 7, 2019

Northern Ireland’s proposed abortion law drew strong objections from pro-life advocates who said it removes almost all legal protection for... Read more

UK government opens consultation on proposed N Ireland abortion law

Nov 5, 2019

The British government launched Monday a public consultation on a proposed framework for the legal provision of abortion in Northern... Read more

Cardinal Sean O'Malley speaks with CNA in Rome on Feb. 4, 2013.

Boston cardinal chides new Massachusetts buffer zone law

Aug 5, 2014

Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston has criticized a new Massachusetts law re-establishing buffer zones around abortion clinics after the old... Read more

Women pray outside an abortion clinic in Albany, New York.

Supreme Court's abortion clinic ruling hailed as win for women

Jun 26, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

A unanimous Supreme Court decision striking down a 35-foot buffer zone around Massachusetts abortion clinics is being praised as a... Read more

US. Supreme Court.

Supreme Court unanimously rejects abortion clinic buffer zones

Jun 26, 2014

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down a Massachusetts state law that imposed a 35-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics,... Read more