Today, instead of delivering justice, the court prolonged the legal persecution of Justyna Wydrzyńska by ordering a retrial. This is not justice—it is yet another attempt to exhaust and intimidate women human rights defenders (WHRDs) fighting for reproductive rights.
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"This isn’t about me, it’s about the whole movement. If we show we are afraid, then the whole movement will be afraid," said Wydrzyńska.
While Poland’s restrictive abortion laws continue to harm women and deny them basic healthcare, this retrial forces WHRDs to waste precious time and energy defending themselves, taking resources away from supporting those in need. The case against Justyna is a deliberate distraction from the real issue: the movement for reproductive rights in Poland is only growing. 63% of Polish people support liberalising abortion access, and public opinion is shifting towards change. But without international support, those fighting for reproductive rights will continue to face intimidation, legal threats, and persecution.
The European Union must take immediate steps to protect human rights defenders like Justyna and ensure that WHRDs, doctors, and those who provide abortion support are not prosecuted for acts of solidarity. Beyond that, the EU must step up to ensure greater access to abortion care across the Union.
Most importantly, Poland must fully and immediately decriminalize abortion care and align with international human rights and public health standards, to finally ensure safety and dignity for Polish women—no more delays.
The world must continue to stand with Justyna, other frontline abortion activists, and with the fight she represents. The time to act is now.
Background
In November 2021, WHRD Justyna Wydrzyńska, a member of Abortion Without Borders and Abortion Dream Team, was charged for helping Ania, a woman in an abusive relationship, access abortion pills. Having experienced domestic violence herself, Justyna offered support when Ania couldn’t access legal abortion, but Ania’s partner reported her to authorities. Ania was ultimately denied an abortion, but determined to take control of her situation, she turned to a method used by generations before her—the Foley catheter.
Justyna’s case is the first in Europe where a WHRD was prosecuted for aiding an abortion. In March 2023, she was convicted and sentenced to eight months of community service.
Poland has some of Europe’s strictest abortion laws, further tightened in 2020, leading to cases where women are denied essential care, with severe consequences for their health and lives.
Justyna's conviction sparked international condemnation, with calls from the EU, UN, and human rights groups to decriminalize abortion care and protect those providing support.
🔗 [TAKE ACTION: Support reproductive rights through My Voice, My Choice]
🔗 [TAKE ACTION: Support the Abortion Dream Team]
🔗 [Learn more about abortion access in Poland or follow the work of our Collaborative Partners, FEDERA & Polish Women’s Strike]
