Poland already has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. However, having a parliamentary majority, the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) is planning to introduce a total abortion ban. This cruel act would pose a serious threat to women’s health or even life. The bill proposes imprisonment for women who decide to have an abortion even if the pregnancy is a result of rape or when mother’s health is in danger. It has already received a strong support from the Roman Catholic Church in Poland

The proposed regulation has trigged public protests in Poland giving birth to a powerful movement consisting of human rights organizations, liberal and left-wing parties as well as individuals involved in the protection of women’s life, health and dignity. A series of demonstrations have already been staged since the public announcement of this inhuman law, with a wire-coat hanger as a stark reminder of illegal abortion practices.

But to prevent this terrible scenario from happening we need to use any possible means to oppose this law.

That is why we ask you to stand with us to protect women in Poland by signing this petition to Polish President Duda to veto the proposed abortion ban.

According to the Polish law, the president has the authority to reject any new bill that has been outvoted by the parliament (so called veto). To ignore presidential veto, the parliament would need 3/5 of all MPs votes (276 out of 460). PiS has currently 234 MPs and that means that they are not able to reject the presidential veto on their own.

Dear friend, please ask Polish President Andrzej Duda to exercise his veto in case the new anti-abortion law would be outvoted by the Polish parliament.

For further information on the proposed total abortion ban in Poland, please follow the links below:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/08/polish-abortion-ban-law-poland
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/09/polish-abortion-ban-activists-tactics-from-us-pro-life
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-ban-abortion-women-speak-out-against-their-governments-plans-for-a-total-ban-on-abortion-a6968601.html
http://europe.newsweek.com/poland-moves-ban-abortions-all-circumstances-445643?rm=eu