Statement by the Center for Reproductive Rights on the Polish Parliament’s Failure to Pass Landmark Abortion Decriminalization Bill
Warsaw, 12 July 2024—Poland’s lower house of parliament, the Sejm, failed today to pass draft legislation to decriminalize abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and later under certain conditions. This decision occurred despite a recommendation from a special parliamentary commission last month, which advised the Polish parliament to adopt the bill.
The bill is the first of four currently under consideration. Two of the remaining bills, now under review by the commission, propose to legalize abortion on request. If the Sejm passes any of these bills, they will move to the Senate for adoption and then to the President for approval.
Leah Hoctor, the Center for Reproductive Rights’ Vice President for Europe, states:
“Laws that criminalize abortion and threaten those who provide women with care and assistance with criminal prosecution and imprisonment endanger women’s health and lives and violate human rights. For far too long these criminal laws in Poland have created a climate of fear and have placed women’s lives at risk. Today Polish lawmakers missed a critical opportunity to alleviate the immense suffering endured by thousands of women and girls in Poland. However, this setback highlights the urgent need for intensified efforts by the Polish Government to achieve vital reforms. Poland remains one of only two EU member states not to have legalized abortion on request. Its laws and policies on abortion are drastically out of step with other European countries, and with international human rights law and World Health Organization guidelines.”
Background
Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe and is one of only two EU countries where abortion on request is not legal. As a result, several women have died and many others have experienced significant harm and suffering.
In addition, under its Penal Code, providing or assisting with abortion is currently punishable by up to three years of imprisonment. The criminalization of abortion services deters medical professionals from providing necessary care and subjects individuals who assist with access to abortions, including family and friends, to criminal investigations.
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