Abortion Rights Scotland statement on: Review of Abortion Law in Scotland Expert Group Report

 

Report: www.gov.scot/publications/review-abortion-law-scotland-expert-group-report/

 

Abortion Rights Scotland are disgusted at the media coverage following the publication of the expert working groups report on abortion laws in Scotland. Some mainstream media outlets are spreading false and misleading information regarding the expert groups reporting on sex selective abortion law recommendations to further their own oppressive agendas.

To be clear, the review does not recommend abortion to be allowed on the basis of sex.

However, it does not recommend criminalising women who are in these circumstances. The report advises that sex selective abortion is likely very rare in the UK and the review advocated for “specialist support services for women facing pressure to have male children in instances of closely spaced pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies and also cultural expectations” rather than criminalising them. It also “refuted arguments that legislating against sex selective abortion is positive for gender equality, noting that this merely punishes women for structural gender inequality and that efforts should be redirected towards tackling root causes”.
 

In line with the report, we do not believe that criminalising women for choosing to have an abortion is the correct response. Abortion has been decriminalised in Northern Ireland without any increase in requests for sex selective abortion. Abortion should be decriminalised in Scotland to be in line with other UK nations.

 

Abortion Rights Scotland supports the expert groups report in the steps it is taking towards modernising the Abortion Act 1967, however, concern remains that the reforms do not go far enough. Retaining a 24-week limit for most abortions and keeping the two health professional requirement for later procedures are seen as inconsistent with abortion at all stages being regulated as per other healthcare matters.

We believe:
 

* Abortion care should be regulated by healthcare bodies and clinical guidance. It should neither be defined by legal restrictions, nor treated as a criminal matter.  

 

* Women should not be investigated and prosecuted following any pregnancy loss.

 

* Abortion healthcare needs to remain within the NHS as routine and essential treatment, not outsourced.

 

* Abortion Rights Scotland will continue to campaign and advocate for fair and equitable abortion care in Scotland for all pregnant people and condemn any attempt to mislead the public.

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