Germany’s highest administrative court has reaffirmed has reaffirmed a pro-life group’s right to hold silent prayer gatherings outside abortion centres.
Last year, a district court overturned a 2019 ban prohibiting members of 40 Days for Life from assembling for prayer within direct sight of Pforzheim’s Pro Familia abortion centre during its opening hours.
The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig has now struck down the city’s appeal, bringing four years of legal wrangling to an end.
‘Precious’
Pavica Vojnović, leader of the Pforzheim pro-life group, welcomed the ruling: “I’m truly relieved. Our prayers really help, as affected women have told us over and over. I am grateful that we can continue our prayer vigils. Every human life is precious and deserves protection”.
Dr. Felix Böllmann of religious liberty group Alliance Defending Freedom International, which supported the case, said: “The court in Leipzig has once again made clear that peaceful prayer vigils cannot be banned.
“In view of the clear findings of the court, the federal government would be well advised to abandon its plans to massively restrict fundamental rights in the vicinity of abortion organisations”.
Earlier this year, Germany’s Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus revealed the Government plans to reexamine current abortion regulations and bring forward “legal measures” to impose censorship zones outside abortion centres.
Scotland
In June, a Bill to impose censorship zones around abortion clinics in Scotland was submitted to the Scottish Parliament.
Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay is seeking to create 150 metre buffer zones around hospitals and other abortion centres.
During First Minister’s Questions, Humza Yousaf guaranteed his government’s support for the Bill. The first vote is expected in October.
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