The creation of abortion buffer zones which could potentially criminalise “private thoughts” has advanced in the Scottish Parliament.

The proposed “safe access zones” would extend 200 meters around any facility in which abortions are performed and could be extended even further upon request.

The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee published its “Stage 1” report, expressing broad support for the proposed law.

While the Committee recognizes the “right to protest and private thought as a cornerstone of a free democracy”, it notes that any extension of ‘safe access zones’ or similar prohibition of vigils or protests “would require additional and separate primary legislation and the scrutiny and proportionality assessments that accompany it”.

The report states that the committee had extensive discussion on the issue of silent prayer and “remains unclear how the intent of those silently praying can be interpreted.”

The committee admits that “it could be difficult for the police to reach a clear decision whether the law has been broken by people standing silently praying, in the absence of any other behaviour.”

A debate and vote in the Scottish Parliament scheduled to take place April 30.