In Poland, Protests As Near-Total Ban On Abortions Goes Into Effect

Protesters against new restrictions on abortion walk toward the Law and Justice Party headquarters on Wednesday night in Warsaw. A Constitutional Court ruling in October determined that abortions are only legal in cases of rape and incest, and when the mother’s health or life is in danger.

Omar Marques / Getty Images

Protesters gathered in the streets of Warsaw and other cities on Wednesday night after Poland’s government announced a near-total ban on abortion had suddenly gone into effect.

The country’s Constitutional Court had ruled in October to ban terminations of pregnancies with fetal defects – nearly the only abortions that occur in Poland, which already had strict limits on the procedure.

Abortion will now only be permitted in cases of rape or incest, or when the mother’s health or life is in danger.