As of yesterday 27 January, a near-total ban on abortion has become the reality for women in Poland as the October 2020 judgement of the country’s Constitutional Tribunal was published in the journal of laws. This unlawful judgement would remove the possibility for women to access abortion in cases of severe and irreversible foetal defects, and threaten doctors who provide abortion care with 3 years in prison. The wording, which dismisses women’s wellbeing as a valid reason for termination of pregnancy, opens the way to potential further bans of abortion in cases of rape and incest. Angry citizens immediately took to the streets in 51 cities around the country, and further mobilisation is planned over the coming days. The announcement results from the deliberate dismantling of the rule of law in Poland. The president and three of the judges of the Constitutional Tribunal were illegally and politically appointed in order to steer the rulings of this crucial body. Poland is in legal limbo. The announcement cannot be considered a legal act. “This move is an outrageous violation of authorities’ basic duty to protect the life and health of their citizens. It will endanger women. It is intended to create terror and lead to the prosecution of doctors and any family member, friend or other person helping women to access this vital care,” said IPPF European Network’s Irene Donadio “We stand with Polish women and with the brave individuals who will continue to help women to access abortion care when they need it, in spite of this violent, illegitimate move. Outraged Polish citizens are fighting to support doctors and family members threatened with criminal sanctions, and expose those who choose to side with this cruel announcement, betraying and harming women and their families,” added Donadio. The Polish government must stop trying to silence ordinary people with the same violent repression and attacks we have witnessed this past three months from law enforcement and far-right groups. Citizens must be protected. This illegal announcement is only one example of abuse by Poland’s authoritarian government which now exerts a near-absolute control over the country’s judicial institutions. It opens the door for further dangerous judgements, including the dismantling of protection for victims of domestic and gender-based violence, offered by the Istanbul Convention. Respect for the rule of law and independence of the judiciary are fundamental European principles. But in Poland they have been replaced with rule, by the most powerful, and by cruelty and dogma. Polish people need the EU to help uphold the rule of law and democracy in their country. We stand with them. Europe must not abandon Polish citizens. -ENDS- Media contact: Irene Donadio - [email protected] - +32 491 71 93 90

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) welcomes the news of President Biden’s decision to keep his promise and repeal the harmful Global Gag Rule (GGR) – also known as the Mexico City Policy.    Since its expanded reintroduction in 2017 by the previous administration, the Global Gag Rule has contributed to an increase in unintended and high-risk pregnancies, unsafe abortions – culminating in unnecessary maternal deaths. For IPPF, 53 healthcare projects in 32 countries were impacted by GGR, with some Member Associations losing up to 60% of their funding.   IPPF’s Director-General, Dr Alvaro Bermejo said:    “I welcome the decision by President Biden to repeal the Global Gag Rule.   “The expanded reintroduction of the gag was callously designed to deny women the right to decide what happens to their body. Whilst we know this policy is intended as a tool to attack abortion care by the anti-choice movement, not only has it led to reproductive coercion, it has cut deeper into healthcare provision: from HIV prevention programs to maternal health to contraceptive access – no one was spared the fallout of this policy.     “What lies ahead of us is years of work to undo the harm caused by Global Gag Rule, and to build back a better and stronger relationship with the US – one where our work is not under threat from future anti-sexual and reproductive health administrations. To protect the rights of future generations of women and girls, we ask that the Biden-Harris administration take the necessary steps to permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule. Without a permanent repeal, the global gag remains a constant threat to women, girls, youth and marginalized communities. Reproductive rights, bodily autonomy and the human right to decide what happens to your body cannot be at the mercy of a pen stroke.     “IPPF looks on with hope and welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the Biden-Harris administration to protect and advance sexual and reproductive healthcare for all.”   And President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Alexis McGill Johnson said:  “Over the past four years, the United States didn’t just fail to support global reproductive health care access – it actively blocked it. Today, we applaud the beginning of a new chapter, as the Biden-Harris administration puts an end to the devastating global gag rule, which has prevented millions of people around the world from receiving essential health care. We look forward to working alongside the administration and Congress to pass the Global HER Act, to permanently protect access to sexual and reproductive health care across the globe from changes in White House political control. It is long past time that the United States proudly declares to the world that reproductive rights are human rights.”     IPPF would like to thank the international community who stepped in and stepped up to help fill the funding gap that was left by the Global Gag Rule. Together, we will continue to fight and deliver sexual and reproductive health and rights.