Poland Abortion Ban

Until recently, abortions were allowed in Poland in cases of incest or rape, a threat to the health or life of the mother, and a severe disability of the child. On Wednesday, the country’s top court ruled to tighten the anti-abortion law, banning abortions of fetuses with congenital defects. The decision was followed by anti-government protests outside the court building in Warsaw and in several other Polish cities.

Since the Polish court put a near-total-ban on a law that allowed abortion in cases of severe fetal anomalies there has been a noticeable increase in calls to German charities.

One of them being the charity group "Ciocia Basia" located in Berlin who helps and supports Polish women who want to follow through with an abortion in Germany. A volunteer reported that there has been drastic inflation of calls from Polish women who had an abortion planned in Poland but are now not finding a doctor who is willing to treat them. Women who, if the verdict goes through, will be forced to deliver a sick baby and maybe even put their own life at risk.

The Polish government has delayed the implementation of the new restricted access to abortion following a court ruling.

The head of the prime minister’s office, Michał Dworczyk, has stated that "there is a discussion going on, and it would be good to take some time for dialogue and for finding a new position in this situation, which is difficult and stirs high emotions" following continued protests.

Following Poland's Constitutional Court decision of banning abortions in cases of fetal defects, protestors and human rights organizations keep gathering in several cities to protest the ruling. Abortion became lawful only when the mother's life is at risk or in cases of rape or incest. Protests have been ongoing since the ruling on October 22.