{"id":298426,"date":"2023-09-12T18:37:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T23:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=298426"},"modified":"2023-09-11T18:12:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T23:12:35","slug":"new-zealand-safe-areas-silence-pro-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/new-zealand-safe-areas-silence-pro-life\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand implements ‘safe areas’ to silence pro-life activity near abortion facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In an effort to curtail free speech and stop pro-life activity, New Zealand is implementing \u201csafe area\u201d buffer zones around some of the country\u2019s abortion facilities. The buffer zones have thus far been established around six facilities with five more<\/a> approved to take effect starting in October and future plans to add more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In March 2022, lawmakers passed<\/a> the Contraception, Sterilization, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Act, which allowed zones to be established. The law prohibits blocking an entrance to an abortion facility and photographing or videotaping anyone entering the facility, but also outlaws even approaching an abortion-minded woman to offer her help and alternatives, as well as handing out any pro-life fliers and engaging in any sort of pro-life \u201cprotest.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The buffer zone law encompasses an area 150 meters from the entrance of the abortion facility, and anyone found in violation could be arrested and fined $1,000.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Buffer zone laws like this one are extremely detrimental to women who have been coerced to abort or feel like abortion is their only option. Many are unaware of the help and support available to them at pregnancy resource centers and similar establishments. When a peaceful pro-life activist is barred from counseling a woman seeking help, the woman is left to feel that abortion is her only choice. While sidewalk counselors are routinely vilified by the abortion industry, women and families have <\/span>spoken out<\/span><\/a> in thanks for the help they have received from these pro-life witnesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n