Pro-choice supporters hold protest against tightened abortion laws in Poland

Written by Anagha

The event was the largest demonstration held against the country’s ruling party

People took to the streets in Warsaw to protest against the tightening of abortion laws by Poland’s ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), on October 30. The protest was the largest demonstration held against the ruling party since it assumed power in 2015.

According to the new law, terminating foetuses born with terminal conditions is permitted in the country, but termination of foetuses with conditions such as Down’s syndrome is banned. The decision was criticized by medical and legal authorities, especially considering that Poland has some of the most stringent abortion laws in Europe.

Protesters gathered all over the city chanting “I think, I feel, I decide”, as well as anti-government slogans. There were a few instances of violence when nationalists attacked protesters. Some protesters marched towards the suburb where PiS founder, Jaroslaw Kaczyński lived, but were stopped by riot police. Many of those arrested were carrying knives and batons, according to the Polish police.

Poland has witnessed protests ever since the constitutional tribunal declared in early October that “abortions in instances where a foetus is diagnosed with a serious and irreversible birth defect were unconstitutional.” On October 26, protesters poured red paint over the Łazieńkowski Bridge, while protests were held across 150 towns and cities in Poland.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this website are solely owned by the author of each article and does not represent the views of the Awareness Committee or the Editorial team.