Thousands demonstrate in Poland for liberalization of abortion laws
You are very upset, said Maria Kozlowska, the medical student demonstrating in Warsaw. "The government coalition won thanks to women and now they're leaving us behind again," she added. The 26-year-old demonstrator Aleksandra Socha told news agency AFP that she was afraid of getting pregnant.
More protesters in front of the Polish Parliament demanded "free and legal abortions" amid scorching heat. A few counter-demonstrators, separated from the main demonstration by the Police, insulted the participants as "murderers".
Catholic Poland currently has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. A pregnancy termination is only possible if it results from rape or incest or if the life and health of the woman are at risk. Assisting in an abortion can result in up to three years in prison.
The failed legislative proposal was the first of a total of four legislative proposals to liberalize Poland's abortion laws. It would have, among other things, decriminalized helping women obtain abortion pills from other countries.
215 deputies spoke in favor of liberalization, while 218 were against. Among the opponents were some deputies from the Peasants Party PSL, who are part of the government coalition. Tusk then dismissed a deputy who had voted against.
The prime minister announced that he would continue to fight for liberalization. "I can honestly claim that I am doing everything in my power to put an end to this hell for women," he said.
- Maria Kozlowska, the medical student leading the protests in Warsaw, expressed her disappointment regarding the government coalition's decision, stating, "The government coalition won thanks to women, and now they're leaving us behind again."
- Thousands of protesters gathered in front of the Polish Parliament, venting their frustration with the current Abortion Law and demanding "free and legal abortions."
- Axsandra Socha, a 26-year-old demonstrator, voiced her concerns to the AFP news agency, stating that she was afraid of getting pregnant due to the restrictive Abortion Laws in Poland.
- The Polish Police, acting as a barrier between the protesters and counter-demonstrators in Warsaw, kept the two groups separated, with counter-demonstrators labeling the protesters as "murderers."
- Despite the government coalition's opposition, 215 deputies spoke in favor of liberalizing Poland's Abortion Law, including decriminalizing the use of abortion pills from other countries, with 218 opposing the measure.
- The Liberalization of Poland's Abortion Law has been a contentious issue, as evidenced by the failed legislative proposals, with Catholic Poland currently having one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe.
