Polish authorities rejected a bill aimed at easing strict abortion laws, sparking protests in front of parliament, according to local media.
New protests against one of Europe’s strictest abortion laws took place in the Polish capital Warsaw on Tuesday, 23 July. Under current Polish law, women can legally have an abortion only in cases of rape or incest, or if the birth threatens the mother’s life.
More than a thousand people protested outside the Sejm (parliament building) in Warsaw, where they were confronted by a small number of conservative activists.
We had hopes that this would all end with the latest election, as the parties were very vocal in being on the side of women. There were precise pledges and they are not fulfilled.
The protest highlights growing frustration with the Tusk-led coalition, which is trying to undo many of the legislative changes made by the former government.
Some women are forced to turn to non-governmental organisations that buy abortion pills from abroad. However, it is illegal to help someone to undergo an abortion in Poland.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported a draft that would have eased restrictions on abortion in the country. However, the bill did not receive sufficient support and was rejected.
