Human rights defender Justyna Wydrzyńska sentenced

Yesterday afternoon (15 March 2023) a court in Warsaw has sentenced human rights defender Justyna Wydrzyńska to 8 months of community service for helping a pregnant woman to access abortion pills in Poland. This conviction marks a depressing low in the repression of reproductive rights in Poland: a roll back for which women and girls – and those who defend their rights – are paying a high price.

Amnesty International issued a press release following the conviction of Justyna:
Poland: Conviction of activist prosecuted for aiding an abortion offers «chilling snapshot» of future

Justyna’s case sets a dangerous precedent in Poland, where abortion is nearly completely banned, and offers a chilling snapshot of the consequences of such restrictive laws. Amnesty believes that Justyna's actions shouldn’t be criminalised, and we will continue to fight this decision.

Yesterday’s judgment is not final and Justyna’s lawyers plan to appeal it. Amnesty International will be in touch soon regarding next steps for our campaign.