Wiener Gericht bestätigt Grundrechte: friedliche Gebetswachen vor Abtreibungseinrichtungen von Versammlungsfreiheit gedeckt

Das Verwaltungsgericht Wien hat in zwei Entscheidungen die Versammlungsfreiheit des Vereins Jugend für das Leben (JfL) gestärkt und die ablehnenden Bescheide der Landespolizeidirektion Wien (LPD) am 8.1.2026 vollinhaltlich aufgehoben. Damit bestätigte das Gericht, dass eine friedliche Gebetswache als Versammlung im Sinne des Versammlungsrechts zu qualifizieren ist und nicht allein deshalb untersagt werden darf, weil sie religiösen Charakter hat.

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TOMORROW: Scottish grandmother to plead in court for offering conversation in “buffer zone” 

  • Christian grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” outside a Glasgow hospital.
  • Tomorrow she will enter a plead in court; ADF International is legally supporting the case.
  • Hearing follows Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference last week expressing concern about Mrs Docherty’s criminalisation.

GLASGOW (12 January 2026) – A Glaswegian grandmother will enter a plea in court tomorrow afternoon after she was arrested and criminally charged for offering consensual conversation in a “buffer zone”.  

Rose Docherty, 75, faces two charges related to alleged “influencing” within a “buffer zone”, despite having only stood peacefully and silently offering consensual conversation outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow last September. 

She held a sign that read: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” and did not approach any individual or make any statement about abortion.  

Mrs Docherty will tomorrow enter a plea at Glasgow Sheriff Court. The hearing is due to start at 2pm.  

The Christian grandmother is the first person to be charged under Scotland’s censorial 2024 “buffer zone” law, which forbids harassment, intimidation and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services. The “buffer zones” are enforced within 200 metres of every hospital.  

The US State Department expressed concern over Mrs Docherty’s arrest as “another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe” and last week the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference also expressed concern, and strongly criticised Scotland’s “buffer zone” legislation. 

“Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.   I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.”"

- Rose Docherty

Mrs Docherty said:  “Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.   

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.” 

Legal Counsel for ADF International, Jeremiah Igunnubole commented:  

“It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow.  

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

Following her arrest, Mrs Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement.  

This was Mrs Docherty’s second arrest for peacefully offering consensual conversation. Last August, Scottish authorities dropped their case against her for holding the same sign in the same place, after a global outcry against the 75-year-old grandmother’s arrest, including concerns raised in an online post by the US State Department.  

The US State Department commented on Mrs Docherty’s latest arrest:  

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe.  

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack.  

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.”  

The architect of Scotland’s “buffer zone” law, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier last year that the vague prohibitions in the legislation could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within a “buffer zone”, “depending on who’s passing by the window.”  

US Vice President JD Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February last year.  

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Polizeiliche Ermittlungen gegen brasilianische Influencerin nach Gender-Ideologie-Kritik im Internet

Die brasilianische Social-Media-Kommentatorin Nine Borges wird von der Bundespolizei wegen angeblicher „Transphobie” strafrechtlich verfolgt, nachdem sie ein Video postete, in dem sie die Gender-Ideologie kritisierte.

Der Fall Borges verdeutlicht einen allgemeinen Trend der brasilianischen Regierung, friedliche Meinungsäußerungen im Internet zu zensieren. ADF International unterstützt ihre Verteidigung vor Gericht.

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Glasgow Grandmother in court for offering chat in „buffer zone“

  • Christian grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200m of a Glasgow hospital
  • Prosecution back down on „disproportionate“ bail conditions; two charges relate to alleged „influencing“ within the censorial „buffer zone“ 

GLASGOW (19 December 2025) – Glaswegian grandmother Rose Docherty appeared in court, having been criminally charged for holding a sign within 200m of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, reading: 

“Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” 

In Scotland, “buffer zones” are enforced within 200m of every hospital, forbidding harassment, intimidation, and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear."

- Rose Docherty

Docherty, 75, has been charged for „influencing“ within the buffer zone, despite only having stood peacefully and silently offering consensual conversation and not having approached any individual, nor making any statement on abortion. 

She is the first person to be charged under Scotland’s new „buffer zone“ law, enacted in 2024.

After her arrest, Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement. 

Following the hearing, Docherty said: „I can’t believe I am here today. I simply stood, in love and compassion, offering consensual conversation to anyone who wanted to engage.

Nobody should be criminalised just for offering a chat.

I’d like to thank my legal team, and all who came to be with me today, as well as all those others around the world who have voiced their support.

Conversation is not a crime on the streets of Glasgow.“

In a win for Rose’s liberty, the prosecution today rolled back bail conditions, previously described as „disproportionate“ by ADF International, which had prevented Rose from attending an area far wider than the buffer zone itself. 

The next hearing will take place on 13th January 2026.

A case of international concern 

Following the arrest, which was seen on a viral video across the world, the U.S. State Department expressed concern:  

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe. 

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack. 

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.” 

Lois McLatchie Miller, Scottish Spokesperson for ADF International, said:

“It is not a crime to have a chat on the streets of Glasgow. Rose merely held a sign offering consensual conversations to other adults in the area. It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow. 

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a peaceful grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

The law’s architect, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier this year that the vague prohibitions in the buffer zones law could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within the zone, “depending on who’s passing by the window.” 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February of this year. 

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UK: Christian woman criminally charged for standing, silently praying  

  • Charitable volunteer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who was previously cleared in court and received a payout from police for being unjustly arrested twice for her silent prayers, has been criminally charged again
  • Vaughan-Spruce will appear in court 29th January, supported by ADF International 

BIRMINGHAM (17 December 2025) – West Midlands Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have criminally charged Isabel Vaughan-Spruce because she „stood outside“ an abortion facility, where „influence“ is prohibited. 

The charitable volunteer has been under investigation since January for engaging in silent prayer on a public street near an abortion facility in Birmingham.  

“Silent prayer - or holding pro-life beliefs - cannot possibly be a crime. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought."

- Isabel Vaughan-Spruce

This is the first charge under the new national “buffer zones”, which came into force in October 2024, under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023.  

The Attorney General confirmed on 16th December, in response to a parliamentary question from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP about Vaughan-Spruce’s case, that „The Crown Prosecution Service has issued proceedings under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, in relation to one case, since it was commenced on 31 October 2024.“ 

Vaughan-Spruce had not yet received information about the criminal charge when this written answer was issued, but was informed hours later in a letter from West Midlands Police. 

All previous court cases regarding the status of silent prayer took place in the context of “buffer zones” enforced by local authorities via Public Spaces Protection Orders, rather than through this new law. 

The new national law prohibits “influencing any person’s decision to access, provide or facilitate abortion services” within 150m of abortion facilities, but does not mention silent prayer specifically.  

CPS guidance on the law stipulates that silent prayer on its own is not enough to meet the threshold of criminality unless it is accompanied by “overt” activity. 

Investigated for a “thoughtcrime” 

On 18 March 2025, West Midlands Police informed Vaughan-Spruce she was under investigation for praying silently near the facility on 27th January, as well as several other subsequent dates. Vaughan-Spruce has been peacefully praying in the same public area on a regular basis for two decades. 

Vaughan-Spruce, with legal support from ADF International, sent numerous requests for clarification in proceeding months as to the status of her case, pointing out that the legislation does not function as a ban on her mere presence or on holding pro-life Christian beliefs.  

Repeated injustice over silent “thoughtcrime” 

In 2023, the charitable volunteer was acquitted in court after being arrested for praying in a local “buffer zone,” under a Public Spaces Protection Order that banned “expressions of approval or disapproval” of abortion. The incident occurred while the abortion facility was closed. The prosecution offered no evidence to support a conviction. 

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Vaughan-Spruce was arrested again for her silent thoughts in the same location weeks later in March 2023, opening an investigation that lasted several months. In August 2024, Vaughan-Spruce successfully challenged her two unjust arrests and received a settlement from West Midlands Police of £13,000. 

On regular occasions, she has been approached by officers and asked if she is praying. Once, she was observed by two officers posted to watch her activities. 

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce commented: 

“Despite being fully vindicated multiple times after being wrongfully arrested for my thoughts, it’s unbelievable that I have yet again been charged for standing in that public area, and holding pro-life beliefs. Silent prayer – or holding pro-life beliefs – cannot possibly be a crime. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought.”  

Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF International, who have supported Vaughan-Spruce’ legal defence, said: 

“’Buffer zones’ are among the most concerning frontiers of censorship in the modern west. We all stand against harassment and abuse, but the ‘buffer zone’ law broadly bans ‘influence‘ which is being interpreted by police officers to target innocent people who happen to stand in a certain place and believe a certain thing. We will continue to robustly challenge this unjust censorship, and support Isabel’s right to think and believe freely as is the right of every person in the UK.” 

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Pictured: Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Jeremiah Igunnubole

FRIDAY: Glasgow Grandmother to appear in court for offering to talk in „buffer zone“

U.S. State Department Applauds Scotland’s Decision to Drop Case Against Pro-Life Grandmother Rose Docherty
  • Christian grandmother Rose Docherty was arrested and criminally charged for holding a sign reading “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want” within 200m of a Glasgow hospital 
  • “The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe”, U.S. State Department has warned 
Above: Rose Docherty was arrested after offering consensual conversation in a buffer zone in September 2025.

GLASGOW (17 December 2025) – Glaswegian grandmother Rose Docherty will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at her First Hearing on Friday, having been criminally charged for holding a sign within 200m of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, reading: 

“Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” 

In Scotland, “buffer zones” are enforced within 200m of every hospital, forbidding harassment, intimidation, and “influencing” of anyone seeking to access abortion services.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear."

- Rose Docherty

Despite only having stood peacefully and silently offering consensual conversation and not having approached any individual, nor making any statement on abortion – Docherty has been charged with breaching the “buffer zone.” 

Following the arrest, which was seen on a viral video across the world, the U.S. State Department expressed concern:  

“The arrest of Rose Docherty is another egregious example of the tyrannical suppression of free speech happening across Europe. 

“When 75-year-old grandmothers are being arrested for standing peacefully and offering conversation, common sense and basic civility are under attack. 

“The United States will always speak out against these violations of fundamental rights.” 

After her arrest, Docherty was held in custody for several hours. She was refused a chair to sit on in her cell, despite making it known that she had a double hip replacement. 

Docherty was charged and released on bail. Stringent bail conditions prevent her from attending an area marked out to be wider than the initial “buffer zone” area, in a move the legal team at ADF International call “disproportionate”.  

Reacting to her arrest, Rose Docherty said: 

“Everybody has the right to engage in consensual conversation. I held my sign with love and compassion, inviting anyone who wants to chat, to do so – and stood peacefully, not approaching anyone.  

“I should not be treated as a criminal for inviting people to chat with me – lending a listening ear. Conversation is not forbidden on the streets of Glasgow. And yet, this is the second time I have been arrested for doing just that.”

Legal Counsel for ADF International, Jeremiah Igunnubole commented: 

“It’s deeply concerning that Scottish policing resources are being ploughed into arresting and prosecuting a peaceful grandmother offering to speak to people in public, rather than focusing on the problems caused by real crime in Glasgow. 

“This is not a case about harassment, intimidation or violent protest – this is simply a grandmother, who held a sign offering to speak to anyone who would like to engage.” 

The law’s architect, Gillian Mackay MSP, admitted on BBC Scotland earlier this year that the vague prohibitions in the buffer zones law could criminalise someone for praying visibly from a window in their home within the zone, “depending on who’s passing by the window.” 

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance highlighted this law as a particular matter for concern in his Munich Security Conference speech in February of this year. 

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Brussels authorities face legal challenge after arresting individuals expressing concerns about puberty blockers 

  • Demand letter issued to Belgian Police following arrest of campaigner „Billboard Chris“ (Canada) and Lois McLatchie Miller (UK)
  • Pair were arrested for holding conversations in public space about gender ideology: “children cannot consent to puberty blockers”

BRUSSELS (9 December 2025) – A UK citizen and Canadian campaigner are seeking compensation after they were arrested by Brussels authorities for peacefully expressing views about the harmful effects of puberty blockers on children. 

On 5 June 2025, Belgian police detained Chris Elston (known online as „Billboard Chris“) and ADF International’s Lois McLatchie Miller while they were conducting man-on-the-street interviews about gender ideology and the harmful effects of puberty blockers on children. To prompt conversation, they held signs reading: “Children are never born in the wrong body,” and „Children cannot consent to puberty blockers“.  

“It is scandalous to expose children to puberty blockers, and it is scandalous to silence and jail those who speak out about it. No one should fear arrest for defending children's safety.”

- Lois McLatchie Miller
McLatchie Miller had initially called the police for help after being harassed repeatedly by hostile men on the street while trying to conduct interviews. An aggressive crowd formed around the pair. Upon arrival, 14 police officers decided to arrest McLatchie Miller and Elston rather than the aggressors. The pair were taken into custody, held for several hours, and had their signs confiscated and destroyed. 

Right to Free Speech Violated

Responding to the incident at the time, the U.S. State Department said: „We are aware of these reports and are looking into the matter. The State Department strongly supports the peaceful freedom of expression for all“. 

With the support of ADF International and Belgian legal counsel, Elston and McLatchie Miller have issued a formal demand letter to the Brussels Chief of Police, as well as to the ombudsman, the city, the police inspectorate, and the state.

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The letter asserts that the authorities’ actions violated their freedom of expression and physical integrity under Belgian and international human rights law. It requests: a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident; official acknowledgment of rights violations; appropriate compensation and steps to ensure that such actions will not recur.  “Billboard Chris and Lois McLatchie Miller were arrested while holding consensual conversations on the street about the basic truth about the dangers of gender ideology. Any society that denies the basic right to express the truth is on a path to totalitarianism.  “Whether online or on the street, it is clear that free speech has reached a crisis point in Europe. EU governments cannot claim to uphold human rights while repeatedly violating the right to free expression.  “Belgian authorities not only failed to uphold the fundamental right to speak freely, they turned the power of the state against two individuals who were peacefully exercising their rights at the behest of increasingly aggressive bystanders, said Dr  Felix Böllmann, Director of European Advocacy for ADF International.  Elston, who regularly speaks about protecting children from harmful gender ideology in public squares across Europe and North America, including by sharing his conversations on social media, has publicly stated that he intends to return to Brussels and expects authorities to safeguard his right to speak freely.  “I’m speaking in the public square about one of the most significant medical human rights scandals of our day – the deliberate damaging of children’s bodies for an ideology which teaches they were born in the wrong body.  „Children don’t need drugs or scalpels – they are perfect just as they are, and need affirmation to love the skin they’re in. My engagement is based on mountains of medical evidence that has been established across the world. A society that punishes citizens for stating truth is on a dangerous path,” Elston said.   McLatchie Miller added: “Puberty blockers, and the cross-sex hormones that so often follow them, are highly dangerous drugs that can cause long-lasting damage to children – impacting their bodily development, bone density, mental health, lifelong fertility, and more. It is scandalous to expose children to these drugs, and it is scandalous to silence and jail those who speak out about it. No one should fear arrest for defending children’s safety.” 

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Pictured: Chris Elston, Lois McLatchie Miller