Report Launch: The Case Against Abortion Buffer Zones

Join us on Monday 30 June in London for the launch of a new independent report on The Case Against Abortion Buffer Zones. The report, commissioned by Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre and authored by Dr Martin Parsons, offers an in-depth legal, ethical, and human rights analysis of this growing area of UK legislation.

Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre have been challenging so-called ‘buffer zones’ since their introduction by certain local councils. We assisted Christian Hacking who was arrested for peacefully praying outside an abortion clinic. We also challenged the Bournemouth buffer zone on the grounds that it is a breach of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We also assisted Stephen Green who was arrested and convicted of breaching buffer zone regulations for holding a sign displaying a Bible verse.

Martin Parsons acted has an expert witness in some of these cases. He wrote a detailed expert witness report on buffer zones, which explains their history, legality, and breaches of human rights in the areas of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion or belief.

The launch will feature key contributors:

• Dr Martin Parsons – Author and expert on human rights and religious freedom
• Michael Phillips – Christian Legal Centre solicitor who has acted in several buffer zone cases
• Dr Greg Gardner – Offering a medical ethics and clinical perspective
• Christian Hacking - Campaginer arrested for praying outside an abortion centre

About the report:

This report draws on legal precedent, medical ethics, and international human rights law to demonstrate that buffer zones are incompatible with a free and just society. With over 100 pages, the report articulates evidence of women changing their minds as a result of the presence of pro-life supporters. It is a call to policymakers, churches, and citizens to stand for truth, compassion, and liberty. We must not allow the quiet witness of love, life and truth to be driven from our streets.

It raises serious concerns about:

• Violations of freedom of speech, religion or belief, and peaceful assembly
• The use of vague legal terms (e.g. “influencing”) that may criminalise silent prayer
• Lack of medical transparency and questions about informed consent in abortion decisions
• The absence of evidence for claims of widespread harassment outside clinics
• The broader threat to democratic freedoms and the UK’s reputation as a defender of human rights globally

When: Monday 30 June, 18:00 – 20:00. Light refreshments will be served.

Where: St Paul's Church, Robert Adam Street, London W1U 3HP

Tickets cost only £10 and include drinks and nibbles.

Speakers

Martin Parsons (Independent Consultant and Expert Witness)

Dr Martin Parsons is an independent consultant on Christianity and Freedom of Religion or Belief, in which capacity he has produced this report. He has a PhD in Christian and Islamic Theology and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He is the author of two major books, one on Christian and Islamic theology and one on Christian public theology. He has previously an overseas aid worker in Pakistan and Afghanistan including the period when the Taliban were first in power. He has also held senior leadership roles in education in both the UK and overseas, as well as working in higher education. He has been instructed as an expert witness in more than 40 court cases involving Christianity and freedom of religion or belief and has been elected as a practising member of the Academy of Experts (MAE). He is founder and CEO of the Lindisfarne Centre for the Study of Christian Persecution and has been quoted on freedom of religion in major print and broadcast media including the Times, Sunday Times, Sunday Express and BBC.

Michael Phillips (Christian Legal Centre)

Michael qualified as a solicitor in 2004, obtaining Higher Rights of Audience in 2006. He has successfully appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal. He is passionate about defending Christian freedoms, successfully representing all Christian Legal Centre’s street preacher clients since 2008. He has witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of pornography through his secular practice. Michael believes in the transforming power of the gospel, seeing several of his clients join his church.

Dr Greg Gardner

Dr Gregory Gardner has been a GP for nearly 40 years, mostly working in urban, multi-ethnic environments. He has been an honorary lecturer at Birmingham University, a GP trainer, and a contributor to debates at the BMA’s annual meeting. He has also debated on the Today programme and the BBC World service. His current research interest is quantifying the risk of premature birth in women having had a previous abortion. Greg has written one chapter of The Case Against Abortion Buffer Zones report.

Clients Featured

Christian Hacking (Christian Legal Centre Client)

Christian Hacking, is a pro-life campaigner, writer and business owner. In August 2019, Christian became the first person to be arrested for publicly praying outside a MSI international in Ealing. Defending his stance on BBC Radio 4 at the time Christian argued that if the abortion clinic wanted to dictate what goes on on public land they must “purchase the land and build a wall”. He was prosecuted for the offence but charges were dropped because there was not “enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Christian, who is wheelchair bound, has repeatedly decried these unjust zones, and defended those who break them on LBC, The Critic and in Heart Newspaper. When he is not campaigning he can be found swimming, listening to audiobooks or looking for wild mushrooms.

Venue

The launch event will take place St Paul's Church, Robert Adam Street, London W1U 3HP

Additional information

Please don't hesitate to contact our events team for further information at events@christianconcern.com or call us at 020 3327 1120

To keep up to date with our other events, receive helpful resources for you and your church, and hear about some of our cases, sign up to our weekly newsletter: christianconcern.com/signup

We look forward to seeing you