Polish Head of State Vetoes Legislation for Abortion Law Decriminalization
Polish President Refuses to Sign Abortion Decriminalization Bill
In a surprising move, Polish President Andrzej Duda has declared that he won't sign the bill that proposes to partially decriminalize and depenalize abortion till the twelfth week of pregnancy. Duda made this announcement during an interview with TVN24 while he was in Washington.
This statement comes at a time when the Polish Sejm (parliament) is preparing to deliberate on the bill this week. Currently, Poland has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, allowing the procedure only in cases where the pregnancy endangers the life or health of the woman or if there is a justified suspicion that the pregnancy resulted from a criminal act.
What Does This Mean for the Proposed Bill?
When asked if he would endorse the new bill that addresses the decriminalization of abortion and assistance in terminating pregnancies up to 12 weeks, Duda responded with a firm "no." However, he assured that pregnant women would not face any penalties for undergoing an abortion. He emphasized that "the woman is in a special situation." He added that penalizing individuals who illegally participate in the process is a "different matter," reiterating his belief that abortion equates to "depriving people of life."
The proposed bill aims to exclude criminality for terminating a pregnancy up to 12 weeks with the woman's consent. It also seeks to exempt from punishment those terminating a pregnancy with the woman's consent in cases of severe, irreversible fetal impairment or incurable illness threatening the fetus's life.
The Ongoing Debate on Abortion in Poland
The debate on abortion in Poland has long been a contentious issue, deeply influenced by the country's strong Catholic heritage. The current legislative efforts, both on abortion and civil partnerships, indicate ongoing tensions between progressive factions seeking to liberalize these areas and conservative forces aiming to maintain or tighten existing restrictions.
As these debates continue, they highlight the broader struggles within Polish society over issues of personal freedom, human rights, and the role of religious and moral values in shaping national laws. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic.
Source:
Duda Nixes Abortion Decriminalization Bill, Polish News Daily, 01/07/2024.
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- The Polish President, Andrzej Duda, refused to sign a bill that aimed to partially decriminalize and depenalize abortion up to the twelfth week of pregnancy.
- Duda made this decision known during an interview on TVN24 while he was in Washington, prompting the Polish Sejm (parliament) to discuss the bill this week.
- The bill's rejection by Duda means it is unlikely to become law, as the President's signature is needed for it to pass.
- Poland currently has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, allowing the procedure only in certain circumstances such as when the pregnancy endangers the life or health of the woman.
- Duda stated that while he does not support penalizing pregnant women for undergoing an abortion, he believes those who illegally participate in the process should be held accountable.
- Slovakia's politics and general-news outlets have coverage of the controversial decision, as the Polish government's stance on abortion reflects the ongoing debates in society over personal freedom, human rights, and religious values.
- The discussions surrounding the bill's rejection also shed light on the tensions between progressive factions pushing for liberalization and conservative forces seeking to maintain or tighten existing restrictions in Poland.
