Civic draft law “Halt Abortion” with a positive recommendation in the Committee of the Parliament

Civic draft law “Halt Abortion” with a positive recommendation in the Committee of the Parliament, 16 versus 9

Archbishop Gadecki, president of the Polish Bishops’ Conference thanks the parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights for respecting human rights by giving a positive recommendation to the civic draft law “Halt Abortion”

March 19, MPs from the parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights gave a positive recommendation to the civic draft law “Halt abortion”, 16 members voted in favour, 9 opposed. The draft provides the removal of eugenic abortion from the current regulations. During the discussion MPs pointed out that abortion due to a child’s disability is a discrimination. They also referred to the Constitution, in which in art. 38 there is a record: “The Republic of Poland guarantees to everyone the legal protection of life”.

“Every conceived child has the right to birth and to life, regardless of innate diseases and genetic defects. The role of the state is to provide protection for every citizen, also in its first stage of life. The tasks of the state also include the organization of medical care for pregnant women and mothers as well as a strong support system for parents and families of sick children” – wrote archbishop Gadecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, in a Communication and thanked the parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights for respecting human rights by giving a positive recommendation to the civic draft law “Halt Abortion”.

“It’s true, women should enjoy great respect in the society and they have the right to decide about their life, but not at the expense of someone else’s life – of an innocent child. There is, after all, the possibility of giving the child up for adoption. Many families will with great joy accept a child through adoption. Currently in Poland the number of marriages awaiting adoption is much higher than the number of children who go to adoption centres. That’s why adoption, not abortion, is a proposal of the bishops and of the Catholic Church in Poland” – stressed Fr. Pawel Rytel-Andrianik, spokesman of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

For the positive outcome of the discussion on the draft law prayed many nuns and priests as well as lay people in Poland. Now the law goes to the Committee of Social Politics and Family on March 21, and then to the Parliament.