Move to Ban All Abortions in Poland

Social Europe (Apr. 6, 2016): The Polish Church and Government Open New Attack on Women's Reproductive Rights, by Gavin Rae:

In Poland, which has one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in Europe, Catholic officials are urging more restrictive regulation.  Currently, abortion is available in only three instances: (1) there is a high probability that the fetus will suffer severe and irreversible damage or have an incurable life-threatening disease; (2) continuing a pregnancy threatens the woman’s life or health; or (3) the pregnancy is the result of a criminal act.  As in other countries with restrictions on abortion, wealthy women travel to other countries to terminate their pregnancies, and poor women resort to unsafe, backstreet procedures.  The new law is an attempt to end nearly all abortion in Poland by limiting it to cases where the pregnant woman's life is directly threatened by continuing the pregnancy.  The proposal also increases the jail time for those who perform abortions from two to five years and imposes penalties on anyone who disseminates information about abortion options abroad.

The Catholic church is prominent in the push for the new law.  The ruling party leaders are staunch Catholics who received influential church backing in the last elections.  They are  determined to use their power to enshrine Catholic doctrine in national policy.  The move is a reflection of a regime that is becoming increasingly authoritarian.