European Interest

Abortion in Poland: MEPs to discuss consequences of the de facto ban

FLICKR/GRZEGORZ ŻUKOWSKI/CC BY 2.0

On Thursday, the committees on Women’s Rights and Civil Liberties will hold a hearing with experts and with the sister-in-law of the first known victim of the ban.

Two years on from the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruling that imposed a near-total ban on abortion and put women’s health and lives at risk, MEPs from the two EP committees will hear from those directly affected, and from representatives of European and Polish organisations defending sexual and reproductive health and rights: Barbara Skrobol, sister-in-law of Ms Izabela Sajbor, the first known victim of the de facto abortion ban in Poland; Kamila Ferenc, Lawyer of the Foundation for Women and Family Planning FEDERA; Neil Datta, Secretary of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights; and Caroline Hickson, Regional Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network.

The European Parliament has repeatedly urged the Polish government to swiftly and fully guarantee access to safe, legal and free abortion services for all women.

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