Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Poles Take to Streets in Protest as Near-total Abortion Ban Takes Effect

VOA News

   Protesters took to the streets of the Polish capital, Warsaw, late
   Wednesday and more demonstrations were scheduled for Thursday after the
   government implemented a court ruling that placeda near-total ban on
   abortions.

   The ruling, which was made October 22but came into force Wednesday,
   permits abortions only in cases of rape and incest, and when the
   mother's life or health is endangered. Doctors performing illegal
   abortions in Poland face jail.

   The implementation had been delayed by Poland's conservative government
   after nationwide protests in October. But publishing the law late
   Wednesday triggered a new round of protests in Warsaw, with the promise
   of more, wider-spread protests Thursday, carried out in defiance of
   COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings.

   The constitutional court is made up mostly of Law and Justice Party
   appointees who ruled on a motion brought by lawmakers from the party.

.