Lawmakers in Poland defer abortion bill

Lawmakers in Poland defer abortion bill

Polish lawmakers on April 16 postponed a final decision on proposals to impose a near-total ban on abortion and criminalize school sex education in the predominantly Catholic country.

Lawmakers voted 375–68 to send the proposed abortion law to committees for further discussion, a process that could take months or even years.

Also a draft bill that would criminalize sex education in schools was sent to committees.

There was no decision on when, or whether, the draft laws would be reintroduced for a final vote.

Poland has some of Europe’s strictest anti-abortion laws, only allowing pregnancy terminations after rape or incest, if the mother’s life or health is threatened or if there is a fetal abnormality. (Associated Press)