Press Release: Poland Rolls Back Reproductive Rights

23/10/2020

STARTS

Yesterday the Poland Top Court ruled to further restrict and invalidate the constitutionality of access to abortion on the ground of “severe and irreversible fetal defect or incurable illness that threatens the fetus’ life” serving yet another blow to the human rights of women and girls of Poland.

Poland has one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws.

Only two of the twenty-seven EU member states that do not allow abortion on broad social grounds. 

Under Polish law, abortion is now only permitted to safeguard the life or health of women, or where the pregnancy results from rape. Even in situations in which abortion is legal, multiple barriers combine to severely limit access to care in practice. 

The ruling Law and Justice party has repeatedly moved to erode sexual & reproductive rights, including a bill that would have enacted a total abortion ban. 

All attacks on sexual & reproductive rights have been met by mass public protests in Poland and beyond. Abortion rights campaigners, international human rights bodies and European institutions have condemned the rulings. 

Abortion Rights Chair, Kerry Abel says: 

‘This is brutal. My heart goes out to my fellow abortion rights campaigners in Poland. 

‘We know these measures won’t stop abortions, they will just make abortion less safe and expensive.’

‘The campaign to fight back has already started and we offer our full solidarity.’ Poland’s far-right government won’t succeed in banning abortion merely forced abortion underground.’

‘Thankfully groups like Abortion Without Borders & Women on Web are helping  women access abortion pills.  Unfortunately for the most vulnerable in society abortion pills aren’t enough to keep coat hangers in the closet.’

This latest assault on reproductive rights is a stark reminder that our abortion rights aren’t guaranteed. 

ENDS

Notes to Desk:

• Media contact for comment and interviews:  Kerry Abel, National Chair, Abortion Rights (07979 535242)
• Abortion Rights is the UK pro-choice campaign, working to defend and extend abortion rights and provide a pro-choice voice to the media.
• Abortion in Poland took another blow yesterday after a court judged that abortions due to foetal abnormalities are unconstitutional.
• There were only 1,000 legal abortions in 2019, 98% of these would now be deemed illegal.
• Abortion will now only be legal in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother’s life or health is at risk.
• Women’s groups estimate that up to 200,000 procedures are performed illegally or abroard.
• www.abortionrights.org.uk and follow us on Twitter @Abortion_Rights