Polish lawmakers have taken a significant step towards addressing the divisive issue of abortion by voting to advance proposals aimed at easing the near-total ban on abortion.
This move comes in a traditionally Roman Catholic country with some of the most stringent abortion laws in Europe.
Members of the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, voted on Friday to pursue work on four bills and establish a commission to further deliberate on the matter.
Two of the bills suggest legalizing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, aligning with European standards. Another proposes to decriminalise aiding a woman in terminating her pregnancy, currently punishable by up to three years in prison.
The fourth proposal maintains the ban on most cases but permits abortions in instances of fetal defects, a right revoked by a 2020 court ruling.
Presently, Poland permits abortion solely in cases of rape, incest, or when a woman’s health or life is at risk.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose campaign pledge included liberalising access to abortion, secured victory in the October elections, fuelled in part by heightened awareness of women’s rights issues.
Following Friday’s vote, Tusk reaffirmed his commitment on social media, stating, “We keep our word! The parliament will proceed with all projects on the right to abortion.”
Reacting to the development, Miko Czerwinski, head of campaigns at Amnesty International Poland, remarked, “By approving these four amendments, Poland’s parliament has taken a significant step towards ending Poland’s cruel and draconian restrictions on access to abortion, which have had a devastating impact on the lives and health of so many people.”
“In the next voting stage, it’s imperative for politicians to heed the voices of civil society and those directly impacted by the near-total ban on abortion, aligning the law with international human rights standards,” he emphasised in a statement to journalists.
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