Members of the European Parliament express serious concern about the situation of refugee women from Ukraine and call for concrete efforts by the EU Institutions to ensure fulfilment of obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive. 17 October 2023 (PRESS RELEASE) – Today, the European Parliament held a plenary debate on the situation of refugee women from Ukraine, including their access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The debate addressed the serious barriers refugee women READ MORE
Category: International activity
REQUEST FOR SIGN-ON: HRC54 JOINT CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON ABORTION
In support of the upcoming International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September, the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, the International Service for Human Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, MSI Reproductive Choices and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement READ MORE
“CARE IN CRISIS” REPORT PRESENTED IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Polish foundations FEDERA and Feminoteka, along with the Center for Reproductive Rights and partner organisations from Hungary, Slovakia and Romania were in the European Parliament to present the report “Care in Crisis. Failures to guarantee the sexual and reproductive health and rights of refugees from Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.” Since Federa has been closely involved in the research for the fact finding as regards the situation in Poland, the organisation’s International Advocacy READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT FOR THE 53RD SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Below you will find FEDERA’s statement for the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales following his visit to Poland. Human Rights Council53st session of the Human Rights CouncilJune 2023 Thank you, President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland.We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human READ MORE
AMICUS CURIAE BRIEF TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CASE V.M V. POLAND
FEDERA and the Center for Reproductive Rights submitted an amicus curiae brief to the European Court of Human Rights in the case of V.M. v. Poland (application number 40002/22). The complaint concerns an Armenian national who suffered a miscarriage in the Center for Foreigners in Biała Podlaska while waiting for her asylum application to be examined. In this amicus brief we describe the obligations of states under international human rights law, including the European Convention READ MORE
OUTCOME OF THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF POLAND AT THE 52ND SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
During the March session of the Human Rights Council FEDERA made a statement on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review on Poland. The statement derived from the UPR report FEDERA and Sexual Rights Initiative submitted to the Human Rights Council for the purpose of Poland’s review. In the statement we welcomed the robust recommendations addressed to Poland on sexual and reproductive health and rights and women’s rights (17 of them on SRHR only!), and READ MORE
FEDERA AT THE 52ND SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – DECRIMINALIZATION OF ABORTION IN POLAND IS IMPERATIVE
Human Rights Council 52nd session of the Human Rights Council March 2023 Thank you, President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. Decriminalisation of abortion in Poland is imperative. The recent case of criminal conviction of an ?activist who helped in abortion and persistent denials of legal abortion services demonstrate that only full liberalisation and decriminalisation of abortion would make a change in the Polish context. READ MORE
POLAND’S UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – 17 RECOMMENDATIONS ON ACCESS TO SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTION
The review of Poland under the Fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review was held on 15 November 2022 by the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. Two days after the Working Group adopted the report on Poland containing 433 recommendations to improve the protection of human rights as regards its full spectrum covered by the international human rights treaties. In the area of sexual and reproductive rights Poland has received recommendations from 17 States. READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT AT THE 51ST SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IN GENEVA
In this session’s statement FEDERA focus is on access to sexual and reproductive health services for survivors of sexual assaults including refugees from Ukraine and Belarus. Human Rights Council 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council September 2022 Thank you President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. Ukrainian refugees even those who are survivors of sexual assault face severe obstacles in access to abortion READ MORE
FEDERA STATEMENT FOR THE 50TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IN INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Human Rights Council 50th regular session of the Human Rights Council 16 June 2022 Thank you Mr. President, I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. We welcome the Working Group’s report and analysis on the importance and restrictions faced by young feminist activists, including those organizing for sexual rights. In Poland too, young feminists organizing for abortion access are facing threats, reprisals and criminalization for READ MORE
FEDERA AND SRI’S REPORT TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FOR THE UPR OF POLAND
Foundation for Women and Family Planning (FEDERA) and the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) submitted a joint report on the state and degree of violations of sexual and reproductive rights by Poland for the Fourth Universal Periodic Review of Poland planned for November 2022. The report focuses on violations of women’s sexual and reproductive rights in and the stark impact of the restriction on abortion introduced in November 2020 that amounts to quasi total abortion ban READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT CONCERNING THREATS FOR SRHR DURING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN POLAND READ DURING THE UN HRC SESSION
On March 22, during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, our statement was read. Human Rights Council 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council ITEM 4 General debate 21 March 2022 I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. As a result of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, around 2 million Ukrainians fled to Poland[1] majority of whom are women READ MORE
ONGOING RULE OF LAW CRISIS IN POLAND VIOLATES SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF WOMEN – ART. 7 HEARING OF POLAND BY THE GAC
On 22 February 2022, Poland will be heard at the of for General Affairs Council of the EU Ministers in connection with the procedure under Art. 7 TEU, initiated in 2017 by the European Commission in response to violations of the rule of law in Poland. At this stage, there are no doubts as to the scale of the impact of rule of law crisis on the fundamental rights of EU citizens, especially as regards READ MORE
THE FEDERATION’S REPORT THE UN COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
In January 2022 the Federation for Women and Family Planning submitted report to the Committee against Torture for its consideration in the context of the preparation of the List of Issues Prior to Reporting on Poland’s implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This submission highlights Poland’s ongoing failure to comply with its human rights obligations under the Convention concerning access to safe abortion care. The READ MORE
COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS URGES POLAND TO ENSURE ACCESS TO LAWFUL ABORTION CARE
On 2 December 2021, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe issued a decision strongly urging Poland to adopt, without further delay, long overdue clear and unified procedures for access to lawful abortion care and information. The decision expresses serious concerns about Poland’s longstanding failure to comply with the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments in the cases of Tysiąc v. Poland, R.R. v. Poland and P. and S. v. Poland. The judgments became final in 2007, 2011, and READ MORE
FEDERATION’S STATEMENTS AT THE 48TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On 1 October the Federation presented its statement at the debate on Universal Periodic Reviews in the context of Poland’s upcoming review in 2020. We urged Human Rights Council and all member states to hold our government accountable for obligations to ensure right to safe, legal and accessible abortion, modern contraception and comprehensive sexuality education. On 4 October our statement was read out for the occasion of the International Safe Abortion Day. As each year READ MORE
HRC48 JOINT CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON ABORTION – REQUEST TO SIGN UNTIL 1 OCTOBER
For the International Safe Abortion Day, the Federation for Women and Family Planning within the coalition of the Sexual Rights Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, the International Service for Human Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education have developed a joint statement READ MORE
GREVIO REPORT ON POLAND PUBLISHED
16 September 2021 — The Council of Europe Expert Group on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) published its first baseline evaluation report on Poland. The report contains a comprehensive analysis of the implementation of the provisions of the Istanbul Convention by Poland. As regards SRHR, some of the GREVIO recommendations to the Polish government take account of the suggestions that the Federation proposed in its alternative report submitted to GREVIO. FEDERA READ MORE
THE FEDERATION REPORTS TO THE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
26 August 2021 — The 88th session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will be held this September during which Poland is to report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Federation for Women and Family Planning submitted a report to the Committee presenting Poland’s numerous deficiencies in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention as regards ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services, including READ MORE
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – JUNE-JULY 2021
July 16 Work of the Federation for Women and Family Planning Decriminalisation of abortion campaign – sign a petition Federation continues its campaign aiming at decriminalising abortion in Poland. Please support our action and sign the petition asking Polish MPs to proceed with the so-called Rescue Bill tabled at the Parliament by the Left party. The Rescue Bill removes criminal liability for physicians who perform abortions in case of fetal impairment and for those assisting READ MORE
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONSIDER POLISH WOMEN’S COMPLAINTS ON THE ABORTION BAN
July 9 — In April 2021 we started the Women’s Collective Complaint campaign. Its aim was to encourage Polish women to send applications to the European Court of Human Rights in connection with the decision of the so-called Constitutional Tribunal that banned abortion due to severe fetal defects. The European Court of Human Rights has just announced that it will deal with the merits of some of the complaints that it has received. This means READ MORE
WE DEMAND DECRIMINALIZATION OF ABORTION IN POLAND – THE FEDERATION’S STATEMENT AT THE UN HRC47
Human Rights Council47th regular session of the Human Rights Council21 June 2021 – 13 July 2021ID with WG on discrimination against women – report on Women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights in crisis I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland.We welcome the Working Group’s reports on SRHR in crisis, on its visit to Romania, and its continuous monitoring of the SRHR crisis in Poland READ MORE
REQUEST TO THE PORTUGESE PRESIDENCY TO TAKE ACTION ON THE DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN POLAND
To: Mariana Vieira da Silva, Minister of State for the Presidency, Ana Paula Zacarias, State Secretary for European Affairs, Rosa Monteiro, Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality, Ana Mendes Godinho, Minister for Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, Ambassador Nuno Brito, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the European Union, 19 April 2021, Re: Request to the Portuguese Presidency to take action on the deteriorating situation in Poland Dear Ministers, As EU Ministers prepare to discuss READ MORE
65TH SESSION OF THE UN COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
March 19 — From 15 to 26 March 2021, the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is taking place. Due to COVID-19 situation, most of the meetings are virtual. Priority theme this year is: Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Read more about the CSW and its programme READ MORE
OUR STATEMENT ON THE 46TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council the Federation for Women and Family Planning, on behalf of the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice presented the statement on yet more alarming violations of reproductive rights of Polish women. Watch the debate here. 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 3: General Debate Federation for Women and Family Planning, Poland 8 March 2021 Thank you, President, The Federation READ MORE
WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE COMPLAINT: LODGE AN APPLICATION TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN STRASBURG AGAINST THE RULING OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL ON ABORTION
January 1 — Today, together with cause dedicated lawyers, we are starting an action titled Women’s Collective Complaint (Skarga Kobiet). Civic Initiative Women’s Collective Complaint (Inicjatywa Obywatelska Skarga Kobiet) and the Federation for Women and Family Planning have developed a model application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (ECHR). It is a complaint against violation of rights guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights, which is in force in Poland. Anyone READ MORE
WE CALL ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO DEFEND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN POLAND
The Federation, together with other NGOs in the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice, joined several international NGOs and signed a letter to the Commisioners of the EC: V. Jurova, H. Dalli, D. Reynders expressing concerns about the recent developments and continued and persistent attacks against the rule of law and human rights in Poland. We requested the EC to expand the scope of the ongoing procedure under Article 7 of the TEU on Poland READ MORE
SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF UN RECOMMENDATIONS ON ABORTION IN POLAND – Oct 2020
Poland has received several recommendations from the UN on abortion. Several UN treaty bodies have also recommended Poland to expand access to abortion in order to comply with its human rights obligations under the Convention against Torture,[i] the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,[ii] the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,[iii] the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,[iv] the Convention on the Rights of the Child,[v] and the READ MORE
Advocacy for referral obligation. International responses
On 27 May 2020 on the session of the Parliamentary Commission on Health the amendment introducing the referral obligation to the government draft bill on the doctors’ and dentists’ professions has been deleted. The draft bill without the referral obligation passed the 3rd reading in the Polish Sejm and was sent to the Senate for adoption (or deletion of amendments). The Senate where the opposition holds the majority restored the referral obligation to its draft. READ MORE
Statement for the 44th session of the Human Rights Council
This statement was delivered by the Federation for Women and Family Planning during the 44th session of the Human Rights Council. Watch the presentation of the statement We welcome the report of the WG on Women’s human rights in the changing world of work and strongly advocate for the recommendations included in the report to be taken seriously by the member states. Referring to the 2018 WG’s visit in Poland, the Federation wishes to evidence READ MORE
Poland uses COVID-19 pandemics to push for further restrictions in women’s access to sexual and reproductive rights
In the midst of coronavirus pandemic, the Polish Sejm decided to proceed with the 1st reading of the two scandalous legislatives proposals. The reading will take place on 15-16 of April, while the free movement of persons and freedom of assembly are gravely limited due to public health grounds and protests against the bills cannot happen on the streets. The first legislative initiative called “Stop abortion” has been brought for Sejm’s attention in 2017 and READ MORE
Hundreds of NGOs appeal to European governments to ensure safe and timely access to abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis is presenting grave challenges for health care systems across Europe. As European countries work to address the pandemic, protect their populations, and meet the increased demand on health care workers and health care facilities it is vital that they adopt measures to safeguard the health, human dignity, physical and mental integrity, and reproductive autonomy of women and girls in the region. In many countries the lack of government READ MORE
Federation’s successful advocacy for the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in SRHR
At the beginning of March 2020, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers examined (lack) of progress in the execution of 3 judgments of the European Court of Human Rights against Poland concerning some important aspects of access to basic SRHR services. The oldest judgment was issued in 2007 which makes 13 years of the pathetic execution process. The Committee adopted the following decisions in these cases: Tysiąc (2007)[1], R.R.[2] (2011), P. and S. (2013)[3] READ MORE
CSW64 & Beijing+25 – Feminist Declaration and our statement
Twenty-five years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the foundational global document on gender equality, governments at an abbreviated session of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) have reaffirmed a commitment to gender equality but, according to leading feminist groups and activists, fell short of committing to the transformative steps necessary to achieve this vision. To address the gaps in the political declaration adopted at the CSW READ MORE
Statements for the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council
We present statements that the Federation for Women and Family Planning submitted during the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. Details on resolutions, panels and debates relevant to SRHR can be found on the website of our partner Sexual Rights Initiative. Statement regarding the situation in Poland on the occasion of the International Women’s Day Thank you, Madam President. I deliver this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning. The READ MORE
“Sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe”
he Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 is the most ambitious road map for the empowerment of women and girls everywhere. In 2020, it will be 25 years since the Beijing Platform for Action set strategic objectives and actions for the achievement of gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern. The Beijing+25 Regional Review Meeting provided a forum for UNECE member States to review progress and identify challenges in the implementation of the Beijing READ MORE
Statements for the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council
The International Safe Abortion Day marked the 42nd session of the HUman Rights Council. The Federation for Women and Family Planning issued its own statements or joined statements of our partner Sexual Rights Initiative. Statement on behalf of the Coalition for EQuality and Choice Right to abortion is an essential part of women’s sexual and reproductive lives and health and is fundamental to women’s right to bodily autonomy. The human right to life and READ MORE
Joint statement on the outcome of the 41st session of the Human Rights Council
“Critical gains despite backlash”, reads a joint statement by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual Rights Initiative, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Plan International, Choice for Youth and Sexuality, Arrow, the Coalition of African Lesbians, the Federation for Women and Family Planning, IPPF, RFSU and AWID on the outcome of the 41st session of the Human Rights Council. Download in a PDF file Despite concerted opposition by some States and anti-rights organizations READ MORE
Supplemental Information on Poland for the Review by the Committee against Torture
Federation for Women and Family Planning, Women Enabled International, Magdalena Szarota (Lancaster University and Association of Disabled Women. ONE.pl) and independent researchers Agnieszka Król and Agnieszka Wołowicz respectfully present this submission to the Committee against Torture due to its review of Poland’s compliance with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Supplemental Information on Poland for the Review by the Committee against Torture in a PDF file The Federation for READ MORE
Global South Leadership on Women’s and Girls’ Rights
Kindly find below and attached herewith a joint statement by the Center for Reproductive Rights, the Sexual Rights Initiative, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, CREA, Women Enabled International, Arrow, the Coalition of African Lesbians, the Federation for Women and Family Planning and Akahatá on the outcome of the 40th session of the Human Rights Council. We applaud South Africa’s leadership in bringing forth a resolution on discrimination against women and girls in sports READ MORE
Cherry-picking of women’s human rights. Summary of the 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
Feminist persistence at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has delivered new international standards on women’s human rights to social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure. These gains were achieved in spite of the increasingly polarised political environment at the UN’s biggest annual gathering on women’s rights. “In the face of extreme pressure and cyber-bullying, the majority of delegations stood strong in defence of women’s human rights. What we’ve READ MORE
Statement for the 40th Human Rights Council
We welcome the tenth anniversary report and strategies for advancing cultural rights for the next decade presented by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. We recognise the importance of those rights within the universal human rights framework. We welcome the commitment of the Special Rapporteur to giving a voice to human rights defenders, including women’s human right defenders. As it has been underlined, such approach strengthens their interest in the mandate especially READ MORE
Poland criticized by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has expressed serious concern about Poland’s longstanding failure to ensure that women and girls in Poland can access legal abortion care in practice. In a very important decision the Committee of Ministers has urged Poland to implement three landmark judgments on women’s access to abortion from the European Court of Human Rights and give effect to women’s entitlements to abortion under Polish law. On foot of Poland’s failures, READ MORE
Statement for the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women
Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland, Union Women’s Center from Georgia, “Women and Modern World” Social Charitable Center from Azerbaijan and Women’s Rights Center from Armenia are Economic and Social Council accredited organisations working in the field of women’s rights in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus and operate on national, regional and international level. We welcome the focus and the theme of the 63rd Commission of the Status of Women on READ MORE
Statement for the 40th Human Rights Council on cultural rights
This statement was delivered at the 40th session of the Human Right Council by the Federation for Women and Family Planning on behalf of the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice from Poland. The statements refers to the report by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights “Cultural rights: tenth anniversary report“. We welcome the tenth anniversary report and strategies for advancing cultural rights for the next decade presented by the Special Rapporteur READ MORE
Statements for the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council
This is a statement of the Federation for Women and Family Planning on behalf of the Great Coalition for Equality and Choice from Poland. It was delivered at the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 24th in support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion. We welcome the report of the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in READ MORE
Joint submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Federation for Women and Family Planning, TUS Foundation, Strefa Wenus z Milo Association, Elektrownia Inspiracji Foundation, Stowarzyszenie Inicjatyw Kobiecych/Association of Women Initiatives and Agnieszka Wołowicz respectfully present this submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in advance of its review of Poland’s compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The submission addresses concerns regarding women with disabilities’ enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights and raises questions READ MORE
Statements for the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council
This joint statement expresses support for the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice and commends the Working Group’s strong report to the Council on reasserting equality and countering rollbacks [A /HRC/38/46] Co-signatories: Center for Reproductive Rights, RFSU, IPPF, SRI, The Federation for Women and Family Planning, ASTRA Network, Plan International, AWID. The signatories commend the Working Group for its fruitful labour since the inception of its mandate. Over the years, READ MORE
International support against the pending abortion ban in Poland
Positive vote on the draconian draft law “Stop abortion” in the Committee on Justice has resulted not only in many examples of fierce civic opposition like mass mobilization on the Black Friday (23.04; circa 90000 participants), but also it has captured attention of foreign media, NGOs and human rights bodies. Poland has received many proofs of international solidarity, including statements by the UN human rights experts, a group of MEPs, the Council of Europe Commissioner READ MORE
Over 200 international NGOs appeal for the rejection of “Stop abortion” bill
Poland’s Parliament should listen to the voices of women across Poland and reject a regressive legislative proposal that would erode reproductive rights, over 200 human and women’s rights groups from across the globe said in a statement issued today. The Parliament is debating a draft bill entitled “Stop Abortion.” If adopted, this legislation will severely limit the already restricted grounds on which women can lawfully access abortion in Poland. It will place women’s health and READ MORE
Statement for the 51st session of the Commission on Population and Development
The Federation for Women and Family Planning with its partners and allies from Central and Eastern Europe welcomes the theme of fifty-first session of the Commission on Population and Development: “Sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration” (9-13.04.2018). Statement for the 51 session of the Commission on Population and Development in a PDF file In the world’s rapidly growing urban spaces, international migrants represent a critical mass. We would like to highlight the issue of READ MORE
Statement for the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women
The Federation for Women and Family Planning welcomes the sixty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women (12-23.03.208) and its priority theme of “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”. Statement in a PDF file Central and Eastern European region serves as an example of remaining challenges in progress concerning achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls, particularly in the area READ MORE
Poland against UN standards on abortion and capital punishment
The ongoing battle around fundamental reproductive rights in Poland becomes even more fierce. Government’s attempts to criminalize abortions and make one of the toughest anti-abortion laws even stricter are expressed in its statement delivered to the Human Rights Committee. Polish non-governmental organizations are deeply concerned about the official remarks to the General Comment No 36 on article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the right to life. The General Comments READ MORE
Joint Statement on Access to Safe and Legal Abortion Globally
HRC36: General Debate Item 8 25th September 2017 Joint statement on behalf of Action Canada for Population and Development; Federation for Women and Family Planning; Center for Reproductive Rights; Ipas; ActionAid; Advocates for Youth; ARC International (Allied Rainbow Communities International); Asian Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW); Asociación Pro-Bienestar de la Familia Colombiana “Profamilia”; Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID); Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network; Catholics for Choice; Center for Women’s Global Leadership READ MORE
Universal Periodic Review of Poland – statement for the 36th session of Human Rights Council
This statement is made on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning. Poland has yet failed to implement any of the recommendations it accepted pertaining to sexual and reproductive health from the previous Cycles. The situation is getting worse each year because of Polish authorities’ activity and abandonment. First, Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe. However, hospitals’ arbitrary and unlawful procedures, abusive performance of conscientious objection, lack of READ MORE
Support the HRC36 Joint NGO statement on safe and legal abortion
In support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, Sexual Rights Initiative, Center for Reproductive Rights and Ipas have developed a joint statement on abortion rights for delivery at the upcoming 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The session runs from Sept. 11-29, and the most suitable Council agenda item for the statement would appear to be the general debate on the implementation of READ MORE
Case P. and S. versus Poland
Case P. and S. versus Poland Another case is P. and S. versus Poland, decided by the Court in 2012. It concerned the case of a teenager who got pregnant as a result of sexual violence. She was 14 years old at that time, therefore the pregnancy came from a criminal act (sexual intercourse with a person under 15 years of age is a criminal act regardless of the age of the perpetrator). Despite the READ MORE
Case R.R. versus Poland
Case R.R. versus Poland The second Polish case, decided by the Court in 2011, was R.R. versus Poland. It concerned a woman who found out during her pregnancy that there was a risk that her foetus suffered from a serious genetic defect (Turner syndrome). Although the Family Planning Act indicates the necessity of only a high probability of foetus malformation, diagnostics in this condition could offer a certainty as to whether or not the foetus READ MORE
Case Tysiąc versus Poland
Case Tysiąc versus Poland The first case is Tysiąc versus Poland. It concerned a woman suffering from a serious eyes condition who became pregnant. Pregnancy increased the risk of substantial impairment of her vision, which would intensify her already identified disability. However, doctors could not agree as to whether the woman’s condition and the damaging for her vision influence of pregnancy constitute circumstances that entitle her to legal termination of pregnancy according to the provisions READ MORE
International Convening on conscientious objection in Urugway
Montevideo, August 4, 2017─Fifty experts from 20 countries in Africa, the Americas and Europe, among them executive director and lawyer of Federation, gathered at the first international convening on conscientious objection to abortion have concluded that the refusal to provide legal abortion services is hurting women all over the world and must be tackled. The meeting, co-hosted by Mujer y Salud en Uruguay (MYSU) and the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC), featured policymakers, academics, health READ MORE
Statement of the Federation and SRI for Human Rights Council
Today on 34th session of the Human Rights Council Federation for Women and Family Planning, in collaboration with Sexual Rights Initiative, provided a statement on the on the Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. Read Krystyna Kacpura’s, director of Federation for Women and Family Planning, statement here.
Joint statement on the planned restrictions on the availability of emergency contraception in Poland
ASTRA together with ASTRA Youth, as part of coalition of civil society organizations working on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights – You Act, CHOICE for Youth and Sexuality and the European Consortium for Emergency Contraception, sent a letter to the representatives of the European Commission, to voice our concern on the current developments in Poland with regards to women and girls’ reproductive health and rights. The Polish Minister of Health recently announced the plan READ MORE
The statement of the Federation for UN Human Rights Committee
Today on 118 th session of the UN Human Rights Committe Federation for Women and Family Planning provided a statement on the realisation of reproductive rights in Poland. Read Krystyna Kacpura’s, director of Federation for Women and Family Planning, statement here.
Shadow Report available on UN website
Alternative Report to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is already available on United Nation’s webiste. Report submitted by the Polish informal coalition for the CCPR for consideration of the UN Human Rights Committee was prepared by Federation for Women and Family Planning and other organizations such as: Polish Society of Antidiscrimination Law (coordinator of the report works) TUS Foundation Trans-Fuzja Foundation Open Republic – Association against anti-Semitism and xenophobia Campaign Against Homophobia READ MORE