Three Polish feminists on trial for pro-abortion protests have been found not-guilty. Although positive news, this is not a complete win for activists around the world.

Marta Lempart, Klementyna Suchanow and Agnieszka Czerederecka-Fabin - three leading women’s rights defenders from the Polish Women's Strike were facing eight years in prison in Poland for exercising their right to peaceful protest. At today’s trial they were found not guilty.

Though the not guilty verdict is a relief, we can’t ignore the fact that this trial never should have happened in the first place. These women’s rights defenders were unfairly targeted because of their work, with the prosecution attempting to use the courts as a tool of intimidation.

Defending reproductive rights is not a crime. It is deeply troubling that they were subjected to a sham trial that not only robbed them of time, energy and money, but also affected their mental well-being.

Cases like this are designed to silence activists. They are a dangerous attack on fundamental human rights and democratic values.  
 

In future, we urge the Polish government, and all governments, to focus on protecting rights, not prosecuting those who defend them.
 

Marta Lempart said "I'm looking forward to going back to work. Thank you for all the solidarity from the international community."