Consultation reveals tiny support for NI abortion exclusion zone bill

10th March 2022

The results of a public consultation on whether to introduce censorship zones around abortion clinics in Northern Ireland has revealed that only 13 (0.2%) of the 6,412 submissions from members of the public supported the Bill.  Despite this strong opposition, MLAs have voted in support of the Bill by 58 to 28 votes at Consideration Stage.

The Bill would make it illegal to “influenc[e] a [person seeking an abortion], whether directly or indirectly” within “safe access zones”. If it became law, it would effectively make it impossible to offer assistance, advice or even to pray in “safe access zones” outside abortion clinics and hospitals offering abortions in Northern Ireland. It would be one of the most draconian policies anywhere in the world.

 A report on the consultation released by the Northern Ireland Assembly in January states: “Of the 6,412 submissions from individuals, the overwhelming majority stated their opposition to the Bill, with only thirteen submissions from individuals affirming their support”.

This means that there was only 0.2% support for the Bill among the general public who made submissions to the consultation.