Abortion clinic censorship zone to be challenged in European court

Alina Dulgheriu considered an abortion but after meeting someone outside an abortion clinic, received help to keep her baby

A woman who changed her mind about having an abortion after meeting pro-life campaigners outside the clinic is seeking to challenge London's first 'censorship zone' in the European Court of Human Rights.

Alina Dulgheriu will apply to appeal London's first 'censorship zone' at the European Court of Human Rights.

The Public Space Protection Order outside the Marie Stopes clinic in Ealing criminalises speech, assembly, charitable support and silent prayer.

Dulgheriu appealed to the UK Supreme Court earlier this year but it refused to hear the case.

That decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling in August last year which concluded that her rights to assembly, religion, thought, expression and reception of information were violated by Ealing Council, but that her rights were trumped by those of women not to be seen in public near the facility.

Dulgheriu said: "My little girl is here today because of the real practical and emotional support that I was given by a group outside a Marie Stopes centre, and I am going to appeal this decision to ensure that women do not have this vital support option removed.

"I will continue to stand up for the women whose voices have been sidelined throughout this process and for women who need life-saving support today but cannot get it.

"Ealing Council could have taken action in a way that would have protected women and safeguarded the essential help offered at the gate. Instead, they criminalised charity and attempted to remove dedicated and caring individuals from public space without justification.

"It is very clear that many are opposed to Ealing's ban on peaceful and charitable activity, and like me, they want to see support available to vulnerable women where it is most needed.

"I cannot imagine a society where a simple offer of help to a woman who might want to keep her child is seen as a criminal offence. I refuse to accept that women should be denied the opportunity to receive help where they want to keep their child."