Justyna Wydrzyńska, one of the founders of the Polish collective Abortion Dream Team (ADT), is being prosecuted, and faces three years in prison, simply for providing abortion medicines.
In 2020, as strict confinement measures are implemented, making travel difficult, Anna, a twelve-week pregnant woman, victim of a violent and tyrannical husband, is unable to travel abroad. She contacted Abortion Dream Team, a small grass-root organisation helping women in need of abortion by assisting them in a travel abroad or explaining how to obtain abortion pills.
With time running out and deliveries from abroad slowing down, Justyna Wydrzyńska decides to send abortion pills to Anna herself.
For helping a woman in distress, Justyna Wydrzyńska is prosecuted. In Poland, prosecutors are under the control of the Minister of Justice, an ultra-conservative and authoritarian politician.
Accused of aiding an abortion, which is illegal in almost all cases, Justyna Wydrzyńska faces three years in prison.
The ultra-conservative government is seeking to make an example of an activist. A conviction would also intimidate all women seeking abortion help.
Such prosecutions are unacceptable. This judicial harassment of feminist activists must stop. Poland must provide safe and legal abortion care in accordance with international standards.
