The US State Department continues to criticise Britain for what it calls the “persecution” of pro-life Christians — just for praying or standing silently near abortion clinics.
American officials denounced the UK’s actions as an “egregious” violation of freedoms of speech and religion.
The Department’s annual “United Kingdom 2024 Human Rights Report” opens with an ominous conclusion: “The human rights situation worsened in the United Kingdom during the year.”
The report noted “specific areas of concern, including Safe Access Zones limiting speech rights around abortion clinics.”
“These restrictions on freedom of speech could include prohibitions on efforts to influence others when inside a restricted area, even through prayer or silent protests,” it said
The stark rise in anti-Semitism is also cited.
CONCERNING UK CASES CITED BY US
The State Department specifically noted the case of British defence force veteran Adam Smith-Connor, who was convicted and fined A$18,000 for praying silently near a clinic in Bournemouth, pending an appeal.
It also mentioned a woman who was forced to pay more than A$40,000 in legal costs because she held up a sign saying — “Here to Help”.
Scotland recently dropped charges against a 75-old Christian grandmother cited by the Americans for doing the same thing.
The State Department confirmed to The Telegraph that it is actively monitoring such cases.
US VICE PRESIDENT CONCERNED OVER PRAYING BEING ILLEGAL IN HOMES
Its latest warning follows an intervention by Vice-President JD Vance in February, over residents living within abortion clinic buffer zones in Scotland being sent official letters warning them about praying at home.
The claims were decried as “misinformation” by the member of the Scottish Parliament responsible for the law, Gillian Mackay.
But she conceded in an interview that praying by the window in one’s own home could indeed fall foul of the law, depending on who happened to be passing the window at the time.
The vice-president also voiced concern over Mr. Smith-Connor’s case.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARRESTED FOR BREACHING ‘BUFFER ZONE’ LAWS
The State Department has spoken out in response to cases in the UK in which ordinary members of the public have been arrested for allegedly breaching the rules in abortion clinic buffer zones.
They included Livia Tossici-Bolt, a retired biomedical scientist.
She received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in costs for holding a sign that read “Here to talk if you want to”, near an abortion facility in Bournemouth.
UNITED STATES MONITORING UK ‘BUFFER ZONE’ CASES
Speaking to The Telegraph, the State Department said of such cases, “The United States is still monitoring many ‘buffer zone’ cases in the UK, as well as other acts of censorship throughout Europe.
“The UK’s persecution of silent prayer represents not only an egregious violation of the fundamental right to free speech and religious liberty, but also a concerning departure from the shared values that ought to underpin US-UK relations.”
“It is common sense that standing silently and offering consensual conversation does not constitute harm.”
CHARGES AGAINST PEOPLE HOLDING UP SIGNS ARE “INJUSTICES”
The comment was welcomed by legal advocacy group ADF International, who described cases against people praying or holding signs in abortion clinic buffer zones as “injustices” and a departure from Britain’s “proud traditions of liberty”.
“Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are cornerstones of any free society,” said Lorcan Price, legal counsel for ADF International.
“The US State Department is right to call out this injustice. It is time for the UK government to restore fundamental freedoms, and repeal buffer zone legislation.”
NORTHERN IRELAND MP HOPES FOR CHANGE ACROSS THE UK
Carla Lockhart, a DUP Member of the UK Parliament from Northern Ireland, hopes last week’s decision not to prosecute a grandmother for holding a sign within an abortion clinic buffer zone, will lead to change across the UK.
She welcomed the decision by the Scottish chief prosecutor not to proceed with charges against Glaswegian Rose Docherty who is 75.
Ms. Docherty was arrested in February after standing in a buffer zone silently and holding a sign that read “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”.
Harassment, intimidation, or influencing decisions about abortion are not permitted within the controversial zones.
BRITISH MP CALLS FOR AXING OF THESE LAWS ACROSS THE UK
Ms. Docherty’s case has been one of the most high-profile, attracting the attention of the State Department, which called on Scotland to respect freedom of expression for all.
Ms. Lockhart said: “Whilst it is a victory and sets a precedent in Scotland, we should all hope that it may also signal a change across the United Kingdom as a whole.”
The MP also referred to the police pursuit of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who is co-director of March for Life UK.
She has faced multiple investigations and arrests for silently praying near an abortion clinic in Birmingham.
“THESE LAWS ARE ABOUT INFLUENCE, NOT HARASSMENT OR ABUSE”
Ms. Lockhart said: “No-one should forget that these laws are not about tackling harassment or abuse.”
“They are based on the notion of ‘influence’ being an offence.”
“As we have witnessed, this can then be used against someone standing peacefully and even silently in the street.”
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