CORTH centre directors and members express their support to the women in Poland in their struggle to access abortion services and care.

We are deeply concerned about the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court in Poland which has deemed abortion due to foetal defects as unconstitutional. We disavow the use of violence to suppress the demonstrations organised during the last week.

The legislation on abortion in Poland, even before the current ruling has been among the most restrictive in Europe. The ruling will make access to abortion more difficult, in violation of women's rights to health and reproduction. In turn, the violation of reproductive rights and right to health will infringe upon several other rights protected by human rights international instruments.