Polish lawmakers proceed with proposal to ban abortion

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Pro abortion protesters, dressed in black to signify grief in terms of the abortion ban, shout slogans during a demonstration in front of the Polish parliament, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Poland’s lawmakers on Thursday opened a divisive debate on changing the restrictive anti-abortion law, among Europe’s toughest, in this predominantly Catholic nation. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)

WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s lawmakers have decided to proceed with work to ban abortion and have rejected a proposal to liberalize the current restrictive law.

The vote Friday followed a debate the day before on two drafts by civic groups: one to fully ban abortion and one to allow termination of pregnancy through its 12th week.

Poland’s current law allows abortion through the pregnancy’s 12th week if the woman’s health or life is endangered, the pregnancy results from a crime, or if the fetus is irreparably damaged.

The lower house of parliament voted for its justice and human rights commission to analyze the draft of the total ban, and rejected the opposing proposal.

Efforts by anti-abortion groups have been heeded under Poland’s conservative government that stresses respect for the Catholic Church.

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