Poland’s pro-life law reduces abortions by 90 per cent

The number of abortions in Poland has decreased by 90 per cent, following a recent law change.

In October 2020, Poland’s Constitutional Court ruled that abortions on the grounds of disability violated the “constitutionally protected right to life” and could no longer be permitted.

New data from the Polish Ministry of Health shows that abortions decreased from 1,076 in 2020 to 107 in 2021.

‘Good law’

Prior to the change, an estimated 98 per cent of the country’s abortions were carried out because of foetal disabilities, including for conditions such as Down’s syndrome.

Lawyer and psychologist Magdalena Korzekwa-Kaliszuk said the new data shows “the law is working and has allowed specific people to be saved”.

She added: “A good law has a positive impact on people’s attitudes. On the one hand, it reinforces the conviction that the right to life should not depend on the diagnosis of a medical condition.”

‘Life is sacred’

In a 2021 interview, Polish President Andrzej Duda said: “I’m pro-life, I defend life, I believe that life is sacred.”

He added: “Families have to be supported as strong as they can because family is the foundation of every nation”.

During the interview the President also reaffirmed Poland’s definition of marriage, saying the constitution stipulates that it is a “union of a man and woman” and that families are protected by the Government in a special way.