Scottish Greens Urge Decriminalization of Abortion, Drawing Criticism from Pro-Life Groups

The Scottish Green Party has formally called on the Scottish National Party (SNP) government to implement recommendations from the Scottish Abortion Law Reform Expert Group. The party advocates for the full decriminalization of abortion, arguing that the procedure should be treated as a fundamental healthcare right. Party spokesperson Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill urged the government to modernize existing laws, emphasizing that access to abortion is a critical component of healthcare policy.

The proposal has faced strong opposition from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). Critics argue that the expert group’s recommendations would effectively permit abortion up to the point of birth. SPUC representatives have further criticized the expert group for allegedly excluding pro-life perspectives and operating under a "non-regression" mandate that limits the scope of the debate. SPUC communications manager Peter Kearney characterized the Greens' terminology as misleading, asserting that the proposed changes would remove legal consequences for abortions performed at any stage of pregnancy.

While the Scottish Greens previously held a power-sharing agreement with the SNP, that partnership ended in 2024. The current debate highlights ongoing tensions regarding the future of abortion legislation in Scotland.