A 75-year-old Scottish grandmother has seen her case dropped after being arrested for standing peacefully outside an abortion clinic with a sign offering support to women in crisis. Rose Docherty, the first person charged under Scotland’s new buffer zone law, refused to accept a police warning, stating her actions were lawful and compassionate.
Docherty was arrested on February 19, 2025, outside Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. She held a sign reading, “Coercion is a crime. Here to talk, only if you want.” Despite her non-confrontational presence, authorities charged her under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024, which bans any behavior that could influence decision-making within 200 meters of abortion facilities.
The law, enacted in September 2024, aimed to curb harassment but has drawn criticism for its broad language. Under pressure from legal advocates, the Scottish government chose not to proceed with the case. The Procurator Fiscal confirmed the charges were withdrawn and that Docherty’s sign would be returned.
The legal group ADF International, which represented Docherty, praised the outcome as a significant win for free speech and peaceful expression. They warned the buffer zone legislation sets a dangerous precedent by criminalizing compassionate outreach and restricting individual rights under the guise of public safety.
Critics of the law have pointed to comments from Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who admitted during parliamentary debate that even prayer inside one’s home could violate the law if visible from within the zone. This admission sparked outrage from civil liberties groups and religious organizations concerned about government intrusion into personal belief and expression.
