HFHR on limited availability of abortion vs. dignity of women

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has issued a statement opposing the plans to introduce more restrictions on access to legal abortion in Poland.

The HFHR reminds that Poland has already adopted one of the most strict laws governing access to abortion in Europe. Moreover, Polish women frequently encounter procedural obstacles in accessing legally available procedures, which has been noted by, among others, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and United Nations treaty monitoring bodies appointed to supervise States’ compliance with provisions of UN treaties and Conventions.

“Any expansion of legal restrictions placed on abortion significantly limits an opportunity to ensure that women’s dignity and fundamental rights are respected and may lead to a cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of both the woman and the foetus”, reads the statement.