Poland: Activist’s conviction for aiding abortion sparks international outrage
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Polish activist Justyna Wydrzynska was convicted for helping a woman access abortion pills, sparking international condemnation. Amnesty International called the ruling unjust and urged Polish authorities to overturn it, highlighting concerns over Poland’s restrictive abortion laws. In a recent development, a Warsaw court has ordered a retrial, offering hope that the charges against Wydrzynska may be withdrawn. Human rights organizations argue that aiding someone in obtaining an abortion should not be criminalized but rather seen as an act of support. The case reflects broader crackdowns on reproductive rights in the country, where abortion is almost entirely banned.
Compiled from: “Poland: Unjust conviction of activist accused of aiding an abortion must be overturned,” Amnesty International, Jan. 30, 2025, and "Poland: Decision to retry activist prosecuted for aiding an abortion gives hope that charges against Justyna can be withdrawn," Amnesty International, Feb. 21, 2025.
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