Poland's tough anti-abortion law went on trial earlier this week at a mock tribunal.  Polish women said strict or misguided enforcement of the rules place their rights and health at great risk. It was reported that doctors and hospitals are often so fearful of the law and prosecution that they try to deny abortions under any circumstances, even legal ones.

The tribunal was organised by the US-based Centre for Reproductive Law and Policy and the Polish Federation for Women and Family Planning. They urged that the law be changed to 'give women back the right to decide about their childbearing'.

During the communist era abortion was the most widely used means of birth control.  Under the 1993 law, sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church, abortion is now allowed only when the mother's health or life is in
danger, the foetus is deformed, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

According to government figures, the number of legal abortions in Poland plunged to 1,240 in 1993 - the year the law took effect - from 11,700 the previous year.  In 1999 there were only 151.  As a result abortion has been driven underground.  Women's rights groups estimate that as many as 200,000 women undergo illegal abortions each year, and often pay high fees or subject themselves to dangerous procedures.

The head of the Polish Federation, Wanda Nowicka, acknowledges that any reforms will meet tough resistance from the church - about 90 per cent of Poland's 39 million people are Roman Catholic.
 
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