Poland: Conviction of abortion activist is 'depressing low' for reproductive rights

Justyna Wydrzyńska sentenced to eight months’ community service for assisting pregnant women in obtaining abortion pills

Abortion is subject to a near-total ban in Poland

‘The case sets a dangerous precedent’ - Agnès Callamard

Following today’s conviction and sentencing of activist Justyna Wydrzyńska to eight months’ community service for helping a pregnant woman to access abortion pills in Poland, Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said:

“Today’s conviction marks a depressing low in the repression of reproductive rights in Poland: a roll-back for which women and girls - and those who defend their rights - are paying a high price.

“The case sets a dangerous precedent in Poland, where abortion is nearly completely banned, and offers a chilling snapshot of the consequences of such restrictive laws.

“Justyna should have never been put on trial in the first place because what she did should never be a crime.

“By supporting a woman who asked for help, Justyna showed compassion. By defending the right to safe abortion in Poland, Justyna showed courage. Today’s craven judgement shows neither. The conviction must be overturned.”

Today’s judgment is not final and Wydrzyńska’s lawyers plan to appeal against it.