Poland lawmakers take steps towards liberalising abortion laws
Al Jazeera
Under existing laws, abortion is legal only in cases of rape, incest or a danger to a woman’s health or life.
Polish lawmakers have voted to continue work on proposals to lift a near total ban on abortion, a divisive issue in the traditionally Roman Catholic country, which has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe.
On Friday, members of the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, voted to work on four bills and create a commission to work on them.
Two of the bills propose legalising abortion through the 12th week of pregnancy in line with European norms. One proposes decriminalising giving assistance to a woman who terminates a pregnancy, currently a crime punishable by three years in prison. And a fourth plan would keep a ban in most cases but allow abortions in cases of fetal defects – a right that was eliminated by a 2020 court ruling.
Under the country’s existing laws, abortion is legal only in cases of rape, incest or a danger to a woman’s health or life.
Liberalising access to abortion has been a central campaign promise of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who emerged victorious in elections in October that saw a high turnout partly due to women’s rights issues.
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