In a statement that has garnered international attention, Monica Costa Riba, Amnesty International’s Women’s Rights Senior Campaigner, has condemned the conviction of Polish human rights activist Justyna Wydrzyńska. Wydrzyńska, a pioneer behind Poland’s civil society initiative, the Abortion Dream Team, was convicted of aiding an abortion by assisting a woman who alleged domestic violence in accessing abortion medication.
The case dates back to 2020 when the woman sought Wydrzyńska’s help after being thwarted by her husband from obtaining an abortion abroad. Wydrzyńska was formally charged in 2021 with “helping with an abortion” and “possession of medicines without authorization,” culminating in a conviction this year. The Court of Appeals is expected to deliver a verdict on February 13 concerning her sentence of eight months of community service.
Wydrzyńska argues that providing assistance in varying forms—be it through offering soup or abortion pills—should not constitute a crime, emphasizing that such aid is inherently humanitarian. Monica Costa Riba reiterated this sentiment, declaring Wydrzyńska to be the first human rights activist in Europe prosecuted for this charge and insisting she should be the last.
Poland’s stringent abortion laws, which the international community heavily criticizes, permit the procedure only in narrowly defined circumstances, such as when the pregnancy endangers the woman’s health or results from a crime like rape. Despite these restrictions, self-abortion and possession of abortion medication are not criminal offenses, but assisting an abortion outside sanctioned conditions can lead to a prison sentence of up to three years.
In response to these laws, various reports by international bodies like the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women highlight the adverse impacts on Polish women. They describe the legislation as subjecting women to potential “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.” As the world watches, the calls for Poland to reassess its stance on reproductive rights continue to grow.