The Chair of the EP Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, Evelyn REGNER (S&D,AT), gives a statement on the entry into force of the abortion ban in Poland

Brussels

statement

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

EU - Poland (T)

violence against women (T)

REGNER, Evelyn (S&D, AT)

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

Entry into force of the abortion ban in Poland: statement by Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), FEMM Chair

Title: Entry into force of the abortion ban in Poland: statement by Evelyn REGNER (S&amp;D, AT), FEMM Chair (I-201677)

SOUNDBITE (German), Evelyn REGNER (S&amp;D, AT), Chair FEMM committee of the European Parliament , It is a sad day not only for women, a sad day for democracy, a sad day for Europe. Why? I call this Court a so-called Constitutional court, because the quality of the law has to be called into question. The judges are not independent. 

SOUNDBITE (German), Evelyn REGNER (S&amp;D, AT), It is a sad day when, after the protests following this verdict, the Polish government promised us to take a closer look at the whole thing and perhaps to deviate from it and to introduce new legislation, but it has not. This judgment in no way a mean of protection for women, because abortions will take place when women are forced to go illegally elsewhere or abroad. That means it is an attack on women's health. This is an attack on the legal system and of course, in this context, on all women in Europe, because this judgment maters to is, It concerns us all.

The European Parliament has passed the resolution in clear terms and words. Solidarity from all of us is absolute. We have been taken by surprise by the Polish government. That's why it's so bad. Quietly and secretly, all of a sudden this judgment was now announced. That came out of a sudden. And of course I am already in contact with Polish colleagues and with others. What else can we do there? One loud protest. This must also be done at the level of the group chairmen, because the group chairmen are standing toghether on this, almost all group chairmen have already sent a loud protest letter to the Polish government after this judgment. And that needs to be tightened. We will certainly do our best and work on holding a hearing as soon as possible. So really to bring all the facts to the table and make this topic even louder. But I think that is also an issue that should be dealt with by the European Council. Why? The rule of law is also measured in behavior towards women, towards basic rights in the European Union. And here Human rights, women's rights are clearly affected.