Citizens' Initiative "Stop Abortion"- draft law amending the Act on Family Planning, Human Embryo Protection and Conditions of Legal Pregnancy Termination and Criminal Code
The draft bill bans abortion completely (there are no exceptions). It introduces criminal charges for termination of pregnancy (sanction of imprisonment for 3 months to 5 years). The sanction would apply both to individuals who perform or mediate abortion and to women who undergo such abortion. The bill cancels free access to information and antenatal care and reduces access to reliable sex education.
The draft bill has been rejected by the Parliament after the massive protests that took place in September in main cities in Poland.
-
StatementStatement by the Federation for Women and Family Planning in connection with the establishment of the Committee for the citizens' bill banning abortionThe proposed legislation instrumentalises women, ignores and disregards women's health and deprives women of freedom and choice.
The belief that women will not have abortions because abortion is banned is hypocritical and does not stand the reality test. With years of experience in the field, the Federation feels the outcome of the legislation will be exactly opposite. The number of illegal, thus unsafe, abortions will increase. It will affect in particular women will low incomes who can not afford having abortion abroad where it is legal.
Women will risk their health and life getting abortions in 'underground' facilities. Full text below.