MPS have been urged to reject a bid to hand Holyrood powers over abortion laws by a coalition of Scottish-based women's and human rights organisations.
An amendment to the Scotland Bill, currently making its way through the UK parliament, has been tabled by Lib Dem John Pugh, Conservative Fiona Bruce and Labour's Robert Flello, who are all members of a cross-party pro-life group at Westminster. The SNP is expected to back the amendment today.
However, 17 individuals from organisations including Scottish Women's Aid, Amnesty International and the Human Rights Consortium Scotland have signed a statement to MPs raising fears that devolution could lead to tougher laws north of the border.
It states: "We are already in the situation in the UK where different legal frameworks on abortion have resulted in a discriminatory impact against women and girls in Northern Ireland, for which the UK has been repeatedly criticised internationally. Our concern is that this strategy of hasty devolution is being used in order to argue for regressive measures and in turn, a differential and discriminatory impact on women and girls in Scotland.
"Women across the UK have fought for women's bodies to be their own, and to this day, fight opposition to a women's right to choose. We do not wish this amendment to open the doors to those who seek to undermine this right. As such, we would ask that you vote against this amendment."
The issue of abortion proved contentious during the Smith Commission negotiations, with the final report stating that parties were "strongly of the view to recommend the devolution of abortion" but that "further serious consideration should be given".
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said her party was strongly opposed to devolution in the area saying "a woman's right to choose should not be determined by a border on a map."
She added: "The Scottish Labour Party believes that a consistent, UK wide, approach to the law in this area is essential. That is why we opposed these proposals during the Smith Commission and we will do so again."
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