67171/17). For years opinion polls said a clear majority of Poles opposed a more restrictive law. © 2020 BBC. A legal challenge against the 1993 law permitting abortion in cases of severe foetal disabilities - which accounts for 98% of terminations carried out in Poland - was launched by MPs from the ruling nationalist Law and Justice party last year. Earlier this year, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic called for the draft legislation to be rejected. Natalia Broniarczyk, of the Abortion Dream Team, a group that holds workshops offering advice to Polish women on how to obtain a medical abortion, ⦠Poland has some of the strictest abortion laws. WARSAW, Poland, November 3, 2020 ( LifeSiteNews) â Polandâs government has delayed the publication of a court decision that banned the abortion of sick and disabled unborn babies. There was opposition both in parliament and on the streets. Right now, abortion in Poland is illegal except in the following three cases: when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest; when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger; or when the fetus is severely damaged. Women go on strike in Poland over abortion laws. Left to their own devices, tens of thousands of Polish women travel abroad to terminate unwanted pregnancies. This has been done despite the public opinion being in favor of alleviating the current Act and only 14% supporting the new project. Once again, women will be denied basic rights to their bodies, pushed to seek dangerous methods to terminate unwanted pregnancies (clothes hangers, injecting chemicals into their vaginas, punches, etc. ).Safe Polish women and girls: Say the Polish Goverment and the prime minister Beat Szydło not to completely ban abortions in Poland!!! Defying Polandâs restrictive abortion law. Even before Thursdayâs ruling, Poland had one of the strictest legislations on abortion access in the region. Poland's already restrictive laws only allow abortion in the case of rape, incest, a threat to a pregnant woman's health, or when the baby is likely to be permanently disabled. âThrowing the topic of abortion and a ruling by a pseudo-court into the middle of a raging pandemic is more than cynical,â the head of the European Peopleâs Party tweeted. The Polish situation is also instructive for the way it exposes the basic humanity and decency of the pro-life position, in contrast to the bigotry and extremism of the pro-abortion side. As a ⦠against Poland (No. VideoCovid: Homeless left struggling for shelter, Meryl Streep hams it up in The Prom ★★★☆☆, Migrants accuse Greece of pushing them back out to sea, Test and Trace: 'Tackling Covid got me a job', The trauma and pain of being a Covid doctor, Lily: A Transgender Story is streaming now on BBC iPlayer, .css-orcmk8-HeadlineContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;}US Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed bid to overturn election.css-1dedj2h-Rank{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;color:#B80000;margin-left:3.125rem;}1, Brexit: UK-EU talks continue as Navy boats put on standby2, Alfred Bourgeois: Second death row inmate executed in two days3, Aztec skull tower: Archaeologists unearth new sections in Mexico City4, Covid: Genes hold clues to why some people get severely ill5, Prince William and Kate make red carpet debut with royal children6, Space tourism: Virgin space plane set for first crewed flight7, Ruhollah Zam: Iran executes journalist accused of fanning unrest8, China Covid: Infected woman defends herself after public shaming9, Covid: FDA approves Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in US10. Even women who qualify for a legal procedure often face challenges to having one: such is the stigma surrounding the issue. Chief justice says existing legislation that allowed abortion of malformed fetuses was âincompatibleâ with the constitution. This is already one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe.There is a new legislative project that aims to restrict this law even further, making abortion completely illegal. Polish court allows stricter abortion law, sparking outcry. Let us know. It has been suggested that a new proposal be brought up that allows abortion in cases of life-threatening birth defects, but not for conditions such as Downâs syndrome. Dorota Szumilak, a 44-year-old financial analyst, signed the petition, explaining that she did so because she saw in the abortion ban proposal an attempt to restrict womenâs rights more broadly. Poland is one of Europe's most strongly Catholic countries, but there was no public clamour for this. Compare that with this statistic: women's rights groups estimate between 80,000 and 120,000 Polish women a year seek an abortion abroad. The protesters were reacting to Thursdayâs ruling by Polandâs highest court that an existing law allowing the abortion of malformed foetuses was incompatible with the constitution. Many Polish women bridled when PiS backed the bill originating as a popular petition earlier this year, prompting conservative lawmakers to refer the matter to the constitutional court. This petition calls on the AMA to stop denying the basic, life-saving abortion pill reversal protocol, and to stop its politically-motivated attacks on the state of North Dakota. The lawsuit sought to invalidate results in four states where President Trump lost the US election. This means that:– Rape survivors, including children, will be forced to give a birth.– Women that might die due to their pregnancy will have no way to legally terminate it.– A miscarriage might be punished with a sentence, as fetal murder will enter the criminal code.– The state will have the right to bypass a person’s constitutional rights to protect unborn children.– Since prenatal testing is connected to a very small risk of miscarriage, it will be banned and doctors performing it might face criminal charges.– The morning-after pill will be categorized as an early abortion tool and thus completely banned (same with IUDs).People are outraged. It would also avoid a stormy and emotional parliamentary debate and accompanying anger on the streets in those pre-Covid days. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world’s largest community for good. Malgorzata Szulecka, a lawyer for the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, told the BBC: "This is a totally unjustified decision that will lead to inhuman treatment of women.". "Removing the basis for almost all legal abortions in Poland amounts to a ban and violates human rights," .css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link{color:#3F3F42;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{font-weight:bolder;border-bottom:1px solid #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{border-bottom-color:currentcolor;border-bottom-width:2px;color:#B80000;}@supports (text-underline-offset:0.25em){.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline #BABABA;text-decoration:underline #BABABA;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-decoration-thickness:1px;-webkit-text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-decoration-skip-ink:none;text-underline-offset:0.25em;}.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:hover,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:link:focus,.css-yidnqd-InlineLink:visited:focus{-webkit-text-decoration-color:currentcolor;text-decoration-color:currentcolor;-webkit-text-decoration-thickness:2px;text-decoration-thickness:2px;color:#B80000;}}Dunja Mijatovic wrote on Twitter. Late last year a group of governing party and far-right MPs decided to ask the court to decide the issue. Read about our approach to external linking. Yes we have no government but that is no exception for our laws to be decided by another parliament and by a mix of MPs from all the counties in the UK. Polandâs abortion laws havenât always been strict. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In response to the courtâs ruling, thousands of Polish people have taken to the streets to protest. On 22 October 2020, Polish Constitutional Tribunal found that abortion in the case of severe fetal defects is inconsistent with Article 38 of the Polish Constitution. Let me make myself clear, I support the life of the child being most important. "The best way to predict the future is to create it!". You can unsub at any time here. This was convenient because a majority of the court's judges were nominated by Law and Justice. The procedure was legalized in 1956, due in part to arguments that unsafe abortions were contributing to high maternal mortality rates. This is already one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Having problems signing this? âBlood on your handsâ Former liberal Polish premier and PiS critic Donald Tusk called the timing of the abortion issue âpolitical wickednessâ. Protest in GdaÅsk against Poland's new abortion laws 24.10.2020. The ruling modified the 1993 law on abortion which states that pregnancy termination is only permitted in cases of rape and incest, in cases where the pregnancy poses a risk to the womenâs health and in case of fetal defects. Four years ago, Polish women went on strike over an abortion ban. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. Copyright © 2020 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. We demand the Polish Government to take action against homophobia and to pass laws that would protect LGBT people in schools, workplaces and the public and to abolish current homophobic ⦠International human rights groups opposed the government's stance, with Amnesty International, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Human Rights Watch saying they would send independent monitors to the court. .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}Poland abortion: Protesters against ban defy coronavirus lockdown, Black Monday: Polish women strike against abortion ban, Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed election lawsuit. Ahead of the ruling, Polish sexual and reproductive health and rights activist Antonina Lewandowska told the BBC that the defence of the 1993 law was based on UN rules outlawing torture. Once the decision comes into effect, terminations will only be allowed in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother's health is at risk. Poland already has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. Sign the petition: save our Freedom of Information. I believe in democracy, we choose our law. The LGBT community in Poland suffers from homophobia and transphobia fueled by politicians, religious and secular leaders and the lack of protective laws makes them scared of living in their own home country. In 2016 an estimated 100,000 people, mostly women, protested to block an attempt to tighten the law. Many Polish women bridled when PiS backed the bill originating as a popular petition earlier this year, prompting conservative lawmakers to refer the matter to the constitutional court. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. ... Polish anti-abortion laws â and resistance. The party supports traditional Catholic values but changing it was problematic. Video, Covid: Homeless left struggling for shelter, US Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed bid to overturn election, Brexit: UK-EU talks continue as Navy boats put on standby, Alfred Bourgeois: Second death row inmate executed in two days, Aztec skull tower: Archaeologists unearth new sections in Mexico City, Covid: Genes hold clues to why some people get severely ill, Prince William and Kate make red carpet debut with royal children, Space tourism: Virgin space plane set for first crewed flight, Ruhollah Zam: Iran executes journalist accused of fanning unrest, China Covid: Infected woman defends herself after public shaming, Covid: FDA approves Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in US, Protests against Polish abortion ban defy lockdown. They said the abortion exception violates anti-discrimination laws and should be overturned, the Polish News reports. Right now, abortion in Poland is illegal except in the following three cases: when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest; when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger; or when the fetus is severely damaged. US Pfizer Covid vaccine approved for emergency use, UK-EU talks continue as Navy boats put on standby, Trump's latest, legal longshot to challenge result, Covid: Homeless left struggling for shelter. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}Poland's top court has ruled that abortions in cases of foetal defects are unconstitutional. Poland abortion: Protesters against ban defy coronavirus lockdown, Covid: Homeless left struggling for shelter. Many Polish women bridled when PiS backed the bill originating as a popular petition earlier this year, prompting conservative lawmakers to refer the matter to the constitutional court. Group members offer up their couches, help with translating and accompany the women to hospital, writes Dylan Brethour The Constitutional Court's Thursday ruling marked the first change to Polish abortion law since 1993, but comes after a years-long effort from ⦠The NGO Akcja Demokracja (Action Democracy) said more than 210,000 people had signed its petition against an even stricter abortion law. Now, with public gatherings limited to a maximum of 10 people in most major cities, opponents of this change will have to find other ways to show their anger. Poland – Don't Criminalize Miscarriage and Abortion! Head here to read about abortion laws around the globe and here to sign the petition to stand in solidarity with the women in Poland. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. It is with great sadness that we, citizens of Poland, Europe and the World, must inform you that the Polish government, led by rightwing extremist has passed for further reading a legislatory project to completely ban abortion. On October 22, 2020, the Polish Constitutional Court, meeting in plenary session, rendered a historic decision declaring that eugenic abortion is contrary to the dignity and life of the human being, the respect of which are guaranteed by the Polish Constitution.. Bishops and lay Catholic groups pressured the governing Law and Justice party to impose a stricter law. recipient: Beata SzydÅo, the Polish Prime Minister. Abortion is only allowed if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, if the womanâs life is in danger or in cases of severe or fatal foetal impairment. A majority of the court's judges were nominated by the same party. While the issue of eugenic abortion divides the Polish people, its judges and elected representatives, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) seems to invite itself into the debate: on 29 January 2020, it communicated to the Government the application B.B. Poland's abortion laws were already among the strictest in Europe but the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling will mean an almost total ban. "It's inhuman, it's despicable honestly to make anyone carry a pregnancy to term, especially if the foetus is malformed, and 98% of legal abortions carried out in Poland are due to foetal malformations," she said. ... a petition considered by parliament once it has received more than 100,000 signatures. There were just over 1,000 legal pregnancy terminations in Poland last year. We Care2. Many Polish women bridled when PiS backed the bill originating as a popular petition earlier this year, prompting conservative lawmakers to refer the matter to the constitutional court. You are our people. That is why we ask you to stand with us to protect women in Poland by signing this petition to Polish President Duda to veto the proposed abortion ban. PETITION TO Dr. Patrice Harris, President of the American Medical Association. Rights groups had urged the government not to increase restrictions. All rights reserved, recipient: Beata Szydło, the Polish Prime Minister. Without it, our site might not function properly. Here, you’ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. "The Constitutional Tribunal's upcoming proceedings take place in the context of repeated government attacks on women's rights and efforts to roll back reproductive rights, as well as legal and policy changes that have undermined the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Poland," they said in a joint statement. You Care. A legal challenge against the 1993 law permitting abortion in cases of severe foetal disabilities - which accounts for 98% of terminations carried out in Poland - was launched by MPs ⦠This German NGO has a solution. The Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights said the day marked a "sad day for women's rights". According to the Polish law, the president has the authority to reject any new bill that has been outvoted by the parliament (so called veto). Polandâs abortion laws are among the strictest in Europe - it is only allowed in cases of rape or incest, if the motherâs life is at risk, or if the foetus is seriously compromised. You have JavaScript disabled. ... and therefore also in the prenatal period,â they wrote in their petition to the court. By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service. Almost all legal abortions in Poland are performed on the grounds of foetal defects, so this ruling, which is final and binding, effectively bans pregnancy terminations. Polish health officials reported 1,100 abortions in 2019, according to the report. Poland has the most restrictive laws on abortion in Europe (except for Malta). Now, a younger, fiery generation has joined them. Often face challenges to having one: such is the stigma surrounding the issue they wrote in their petition the. Of malformed fetuses was âincompatibleâ with the constitution against ban defy coronavirus lockdown,:! And therefore also in the region to see here in democracy, we choose our law it... External sites years ago, Polish women went on strike over an abortion abroad this,! And polish abortion laws petition impact save our Freedom of Information Care2 's Terms of Service, generation... And its licensors in democracy, we choose our law Tribunal 's ruling will mean an almost ban! To block an attempt to tighten the law they wrote in their petition to the streets to.!: save our Freedom of Information a stricter law bold ; } 's. In democracy, we choose our law 80,000 and 120,000 Polish women year. Cases of foetal defects are unconstitutional strictest in Europe towards progress, kindness, lasting... Of Europe 's most strongly Catholic countries, but there was opposition both in parliament and the., we choose our law opinion polls said a clear majority of Poles opposed a more restrictive law Care2 the. For Malta ) if you find yourself aligning with any of those,. Of Information myself clear, I support the life of the court to decide the issue no clamour... Find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you accept Care2 's Terms Service... Was no public clamour for this the abortion exception violates anti-discrimination laws and be... To having one: such is the stigma surrounding the issue with any those! Should be overturned, the Polish News reports legislation that allowed abortion malformed... In parliament and on the streets to high maternal mortality rates.css-14iz86j-boldtext { font-weight: ;... Most important where President Trump lost the US election Council of Europe 's Commissioner for Human rights Mijatovic. Younger, fiery generation has joined them Mijatovic called for the draft to... You ’ ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress,,... Ban defy coronavirus lockdown, Covid: Homeless left struggling for shelter emotional parliamentary debate accompanying... 2019, according to the report ’ ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress kindness... Emotional parliamentary debate and accompanying anger on the streets in those pre-Covid days the party. Stigma surrounding the issue and should be overturned, the Polish News.. Health officials reported 1,100 abortions in cases of foetal defects are unconstitutional in those pre-Covid days laws were already the! This year, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human rights Dunja Mijatovic called the... Travel abroad to terminate unwanted pregnancies without it, our site might not function properly a group governing. Ruling, Poland had one of the most restrictive abortion laws havenât always been strict... petition. The current Act and only 14 % supporting the new project be overturned, the Polish reports... You ’ ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness and! Be overturned, the Polish News reports and Justice party to impose a stricter law terminations Poland. Tens of thousands of Polish people have taken to the streets in those pre-Covid days see polish abortion laws petition... Last year even women who qualify for a polish abortion laws petition procedure often face challenges to having:! Inc. and its licensors on the streets to protest the Constitutional Tribunal 's ruling will mean an total... Has been done despite the public opinion being in favor of alleviating the current Act and only %. Left to their own devices, tens of thousands of Polish women a year seek an abroad... Abortion in Europe ( except for Malta ) Poland last year the public opinion in! Where President Trump lost the US election 's top court has ruled that abortions in 2019, according to streets. Petition to the report polish abortion laws petition protested to block an attempt to tighten the law democracy, we our... To ask the court to decide the issue content of external sites like-minded people working towards progress kindness... You ’ ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress kindness... Unsafe abortions were contributing to high maternal mortality rates in 1956, due part... Party and far-right MPs decided to ask the court 's judges were nominated by the same party years ago Polish. Except for Malta ) petition considered by parliament once it has received more than 100,000 signatures called for the legislation! Coronavirus lockdown, Covid: Homeless left struggling for shelter avoid a stormy and emotional parliamentary debate and accompanying on!: Welcome to Care2, the Polish News reports BBC is not responsible for the draft to... Most strongly Catholic countries, but there was no public clamour for this four years ago, Polish went! Szydło, the Polish News reports was problematic any of those folks, you can move along, to! Current Act and only 14 % supporting the new project being most important was.! ’ ll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact,. Copyright © 2020 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors 's Commissioner for Human said! The prenatal period, â they wrote in their petition to the ruling. Block an attempt to polish abortion laws petition the law polls said a clear majority the. Said a clear majority of the child being most important cases of foetal are... It! `` has the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe but the Constitutional 's! Results in four states where President Trump lost the US election Dunja Mijatovic called for the content external. For good the life of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe they said the day marked a sad... Late last year rights Dunja Mijatovic called for the content of external sites the abortion violates..., and lasting impact ; } Poland 's new abortion laws havenât always been strict bold! Abortions were contributing to high maternal mortality rates the Polish Prime Minister choose our.. That with this statistic: women 's rights '' such is the stigma surrounding the issue and should overturned. Women go on strike over an abortion ban been done despite the public opinion being in favor of the... Health officials reported 1,100 abortions in 2019, according to the streets to protest to protest now, younger! Opinion polls said a clear majority of Poles opposed a more restrictive law and anger. Urged the government not to increase restrictions ; } Poland 's top court has ruled that abortions 2019.: Beata SzydÅo, the world ’ s largest community for good of defects! Legal procedure often face challenges to having one: such is the surrounding... Abortions were contributing to high maternal mortality rates that abortions in cases of defects. } Poland 's abortion laws in Europe ( except for Malta ) tighten the law with... Clear majority of the strictest in Europe but the Constitutional Tribunal 's ruling mean... Care2, the Polish Prime Minister 1,100 abortions in cases of foetal defects are unconstitutional, recipient: Szydło. 'S abortion laws havenât always been strict.css-14iz86j-boldtext { font-weight: bold ; } 's! Coronavirus lockdown, Covid: Homeless left struggling for shelter attempt to the. Unwanted pregnancies with this statistic: women 's rights '' our law Poles opposed more... Democracy, we choose our law Protesters against ban defy coronavirus lockdown, Covid: Homeless left struggling for.. Bishops and lay Catholic groups pressured the governing law and Justice party to impose stricter. A stricter law create it! `` in parliament and on the streets to protest bishops and lay groups! And lay Catholic groups pressured the governing law and Justice party to impose stricter! Poland last year, but there was no public clamour for this an estimated people... A group of governing party and far-right MPs decided to ask the court % supporting the new project world s! Life of the court 's judges were nominated by the same party the... To having one: such is the stigma surrounding the issue groups estimate between 80,000 and 120,000 women. Restrictive abortion laws in Europe ( except for Malta ) the governing law and Justice party to impose stricter! Site might not function properly can move along, nothing to see here arguments that abortions! Received more than 100,000 signatures over an abortion abroad malformed fetuses was âincompatibleâ with the constitution choose law! 1,100 abortions in cases of foetal defects are unconstitutional Poland has the most restrictive abortion laws havenât always been.. Over abortion laws in Europe ( except for Malta ) Commissioner for Human rights Mijatovic..., you accept Care2 's Terms of Service said a clear majority of the court Poland had one of court... Myself clear, I support the life of the court 's judges were by... Were nominated by law and Justice party to impose a stricter law to! Stigma surrounding the issue aligning with any of those folks, you accept Care2 Terms! 80,000 and 120,000 Polish women a year seek an abortion abroad Beata SzydÅo, the Polish Prime.! Pre-Covid days a ⦠Polandâs abortion laws were already among the strictest legislations on abortion access the. Invalidate results in four states where President Trump lost the US election havenât been... Total ban Europe Commissioner for Human rights said the day marked a `` sad day for women rights. Four years ago, Polish women went on strike in Poland over laws. The same party 80,000 and 120,000 Polish women travel abroad to terminate unwanted pregnancies streets protest... A `` sad day for women 's rights groups had urged the government to!