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Polish lawmakers Friday precocious 4 bills that would extremity abortion bans and let abortions up to 12 weeks. The bills spell now to a committee. It's unclear whether Polish President Andrzej Duda would motion nan bills. File photograph by Andrzej Lange/EPA-EFE
April 12 (UPI) -- Polish lawmakers Friday precocious 4 draught bills aimed astatine loosening nan nation's near-total prohibition connected abortion.
Two of nan bills activity to legalize abortion up to nan 12th week of gestation and different was focused connected decriminalization of abortion nether Poland's existent laws, instituted successful 2020, that outlaw abortion successful astir each cases pinch exceptions only for erstwhile nan mother's life aliases wellness is astatine consequence aliases successful pregnancies caused by rape aliases incest.
A 4th bill, introduced by nan blimpish Third Way alliance, sought to revert abortion laws to erstwhile standards established successful 1993.
All 4 bills were approved by parliament and will now beryllium sent to a committee for further study.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged to repeal nan strict abortion laws but his ruling conjugation had not established a singular scheme to switch it.
If passed, Polish President Andrzej Duda tin veto nan proposals.
Despite nan uncertainty, lawmakers celebrated nan advancement connected Friday.
"This is simply a historic moment. For nan first clip since 1996, projects liberalizing and decriminalizing abortion person been sent to a 2nd reference successful parliamentary committee," nan Federation for Women and Family Planning's Kamila Ferenc said.
"Today is simply a very happy time for Polish women!" Małgorzata Tracz of nan Greens said connected X. "Bills liberalizing abortion law are passed successful nan Parliament for reading!"
Parliament Speaker and blimpish Third Way statement lawmaker Szymon Hołownia said contempt his statement preferring a referendum connected nan issue, Third Way backed each nan bills.
"We did it retired of respect for democracy and interest for nan durability of nan coalition. Now we time off nan destiny of these bills successful nan hands of nan committee member," he said.
Rights groups besides hailed nan determination arsenic a measurement successful nan correct guidance for Poland.
"This is an important first measurement towards aligning nan law pinch nan mostly of European countries wherever abortion is ineligible connected request," said nan Center for Reproductive Rights successful a statement.
"By approving these 4 amendments, Poland's parliament has taken a important measurement towards ending Poland's sadistic and draconian restrictions connected access to abortion, which person had a devastating effect connected nan lives and wellness of truthful galore people," Amnesty International's Head of Campaigns Miko Czerwiński said successful a statement.
