Wed Dec 7, 2022 – 7:51 am EST
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (LifeSiteNews) — The U.K.’s Supreme Court has upheld a bill criminalizing pro-life witness outside abortion facilities in Northern Ireland, in a case which could set a precedent for the entire United Kingdom.
In a ruling issued December 7, the seven justices of the Court ruled in favor of upholding the Abortion (Safe Access Zones) (Northern Ireland) Bill, meaning that pro-life activities within 100 meters of an abortion facility are to be criminalized.
The Court unanimously ruled that “clause 5(2)(a) of the Bill is compatible with the Convention rights of those who seek to express their opposition to the provision of abortion treatment services in Northern Ireland.”
The Bill had been adopted by the Northern Irish Assembly on March 24, 2022, after it was sponsored by Northern Ireland’s Green Party leader Clare Baile – who lost her seat in May elections.
But Northern Ireland’s (NI) Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, had referred the Bill to the Supreme Court, asking the Court to determine if the Bill was in fact within the “legislative competence” of the NI legislators. She questioned whether it was a violation of the
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