Poland’s constitutional tribunal has struck down a discriminatory abortion law that allows unborn babies with a disability to be aborted.
Before the ruling, abortions were already prohibited in Poland in most circumstances. However, until now, there was an exception “when prenatal tests or other medical grounds indicate a high probability of severe and irreversible impairment of the foetus or an incurable life-threatening disease.”
On Thursday, the constitutional tribunal accepted the pro-life arguments submitted that the exception in the law targeting babies with a disability violated constitutionally protected human rights.
In her ruling, Chief Justice Julia Przylebska said the law is “incompatible” with the Polish constitution. The decision will likely save thousands of babies from being aborted and is a sign that it’s possible with dedication and commitment to overturn permissive abortion laws incrementally. Until 1990, abortion was available in Poland on wide-ranging grounds but since the end of Communist rule there, the law has steadily turned in a pro-life direction.
This week’s decision is something pro-life supporters everywhere should celebrate and take heart from as we continue the fight for life and human dignity.