Threats to Southland medical professionals' unacceptable

Threats made to Southland medical professionals and those involved in abortion law reform are unacceptable and should be treated very seriously, the Green Party said today.

The Abortion Law Reform Association has received an anonymous threat stating: "People who work at the clinic are legitimate targets and so are you" and "You'll be hearing from me again, that is if your computer or in fact your premises are in one piece".

"It is unacceptable and very concerning that medical professionals who are undertaking legal abortions and members of the association are being threatened in this way," Green Party womens' affairs spokesperson Jan Logie said.

"Resorting to these kinds of vigilante threats in the face of a disagreement is not how we should conduct ourselves. It isn't the New Zealand way.

"Abortion is legal in New Zealand under strict circumstances. Medical professionals need to be protected in undertaking their legal functions.

"The anti-abortion group, Southlanders for Life, have legitimised unacceptable behaviour through their push to publically name the medical professionals undertaking legal abortions in Southland.

"We need a tolerant and calm approach to abortion that recognises the majority of New Zealanders are comfortable with our laws.

"Fringe and vigilante behaviour needs to be shut down. We don't want extreme American-style abortion opposition in New Zealand."