Category: Reproductive Rights
Humanist Society backs petition for abortion care up to legal limit across Scotland
We’ve backed a petition by campaigner Gemma Clark calling out inadequate provision of surgical abortions up to 24 weeks. Humanist Society Scotland has written to the Scottish parliament to back a petition calling for abortion service provision up to the…
Assisted dying, ending conversion practices, decriminalising abortion, and more: our plans for 2025
A new year is here and there’s work to be done. What are the priorities for Scottish Humanist Society in 2025? Assisted dying Assisted dying is a major cause for humanist movements around the world, including ours. With a historic…
The year in humanism: news and campaigns round-up
What a year it’s been. With religious authoritarianism on the march around the world, let’s take some time to celebrate the many victories for humanism in 2024. Here a round up of campaigns and news moments from across the year….
We raise concerns about links between anti-assisted dying figure and radical religious right
Our CEO Fraser Sutherland spoke to The National about Dr Gillian Wright, a “medical ethics researcher” with connections to well-known anti-abortion and radical right individuals and groups. Dr Wright is likely to give evidence to the health committee opposing assisted…
Our CEO interviewed in The Herald on influence of international religious right in Scotland
Our CEO Fraser Sutherland was interviewed by Neil Mackay in yesterday’s Herald on Sunday. Fraser talks about the influence of the international religious right on debates from assisted dying to trans rights, and how Scotland (and us) became a lightning…
Programme for Government 2024-25: Our Humanist priorities
Ahead of the First Minister’s Programme for Government address, Humanist Society Scotland has set out what we think should be included in the government’s plans for 2024-25. As MSPs head back to Holyrood after summer recess, attention is turning to…
Buffer zones bill passes final vote and will become law
Today, MSPs voted by an overwhelming majority of 118 to 1 to introduce buffer zones laws that will protect abortion service users from religiously motivated harassment. We are delighted that MSPs have voted in favour of Gillian Mackay MSP’s Abortion…
Wrecking amendments reintroduced ahead of final vote on buffer zones
Ahead of the final vote on the buffer zones bill next week, wrecking amendments have been reintroduced by Jeremy Balfour MSP. We urge MSPs to vote against them. On June 12 2024, MSPs will take part in the final vote…
Wrecking amendments to buffer zones bill withdrawn but questions remain over “chaplaincy services”
Today, Holyrood’s health committee considered amendments to Gillian Mackay’s buffer zones bill. Several wrecking amendments were withdrawn but discussions are ongoing about the provision of “chaplaincy services” at abortion facilities. Today, MSPs on Holyrood’s Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee…
MSPs must stop wrecking amendments to buffer zones bill
MSPs will soon debate amendments to Gillian Mackay’s buffer zones bill. Some of the amendments are designed to wreck the legislation. The committee must reject them. Health committee MSPs will meet on Tuesday 28 May to debate proposed changes to…
Decriminalising abortion in Scotland: future-proofing Scots law
On the day Engender publishes a new report calling for decriminalisation of abortion, law lecturer Dr Lynsey Mitchell explores the history of abortion law in Scotland in a guest article for our news blog. The US Supreme Court’s decision to…