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Following the entry into force of a court order published in the State Gazette, in Poland abortion is only allowed in cases of rape or incest, as well as when the life of the mother is in danger.
In the capital, Warsaw, protesters held lighted red torches, waved rainbow-colored flags associated with the LGBT movement and carried signs reading “Means war” and “Free choice, not terror.” Many had also put up posters with the red thunderbolt symbol used by advocates of freedom of choice.
Crowds of protesters taking to the streets disrupted traffic in many cities.
A wave of protests erupted last year after the Constitutional Court ruled that existing abortion laws that allow abortion in the event of a serious birth defect were unconstitutional.
The protesters directed their anger at the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS), whose deputies appealed to the constitutional court.
The Constitutional Court ruling, backed by a conservative nationalist government, took effect after being published in the Legal Gazette on Wednesday night.
Previously, the reasons for the judgment handed down on October 22 were published on the website of the Constitutional Court.
“Hell for the government”
The Women’s Strike movement, which organized the demonstrations last year, called a protest at the Constitutional Court in Warsaw.
“Express your anger today as you see fit,” Marta Lempart, one of the movement’s founders, said at a news conference. “We urge everyone to take to the streets.”
He said that publishing the court order in public view was tantamount to a “crime.”
Klementyna Suchanow, another spokesperson for the women’s strike, said: “All of Poland is mobilizing, not just Warsaw. We are ready!”
“When we speak of hell for women, we can also speak of hell for the government.” We will incite you to this hell, “he added.
S. Suchanow and M. Lempart wore green scarves, which became a symbol of abortion rights in Argentina, where abortion was legalized last month by a historic decision.
The protest in Warsaw began at the headquarters of the Constitutional Court, and subsequently the participants marched at the headquarters of the PiS.
“You will not win”
In Catholic Poland, abortion laws have been one of the strictest in Europe in the past.
So far, 38 million. In Poland, which has a population of less than 2,000 inhabitants per year, abortion procedures. According to the calculation of women’s groups, about 200 thousand. women terminate unwanted pregnancies illegally or go abroad.
Borys Budka, a member of the Civic Platform (PO) of the Liberal Opposition Party, said that the announcement of the court ruling was a “provocation.”
At the time, Wanda Nowicka, a member of the Left Legacy movement, said: “You have not won and you will not win this war against women.”
The government postponed announcing the ruling after nationwide demonstrations that took place despite coronavirus restrictions that ban rallies.
The protests, which erupted after the Constitutional Court issued an interpretation, attracted many young people and quickly became an opportunity to express broader opposition to the government.
Tens of thousands of people participated in the largest demonstrations. The organizers called the movement a “revolution” of the new generation against the established situation, including the influence of the leaders of the Polish Catholic Church.
However, experts in sociological research have indicated that the Polish “silent majority” supports the existing abortion laws and that only a small part of the public wants to extend the right to abortion.
The government defended the court ruling, arguing that it would prevent abortions for so-called eugenic reasons. But human rights defenders say the ruling will force women to continue their pregnancy even if the baby is born to die.
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