Power to the... Church?

In January 2003 the Polish Government announces that a referendum will be held on June 8 to determine public opinion on joining the European Union. The discussion about the referendum to enter the European Union also affects the debate about abortion.

During the run-up to the 2001 general election the now-ruling Democratic Left Alliance promised to liberalise abortion laws but seeks the support of the Roman Catholic Church to join the European Union in June 2003. The Church offers its backing on one condition: that the existing abortion laws will remain in place. Roman Catholic officials in Poland are "demanding" that European Union officials add a clause to the treaty that upon entrance into the European Union Poland's anti-abortion laws will remain intact. The Polish government caves in to the Church's pressure and sends a letter to the European Union to seek assurances that "no EU treaties or annexes to those treaties will hamper the Polish government in regulating moral issues or those concerning the protection of human life.?
The Polish women?s organisations ask Women on Waves to postpone the ship's visit to Poland until at least two weeks after the referendum is held. They all want to become part of the European Union but are afraid that the ship's arrival might negatively affect the outcome of the referendum.

January 2003
The Polish Government announces that a referendum will be held on June 8 to determine public opinion on joining the European Union. The discussion about the referendum to enter the European Union also affects the debate about abortion. During the run-up to the 2001 general election the now-ruling Democratic Left Alliance promised to liberalise abortion laws but seeks the support of the Roman Catholic Church to join the European Union in June 2003. The Church offersred its backing on one condition: that the existing abortion laws willould remain in place. Roman Catholic officials in Poland are "demanding" that European Union officials add a clause to the treaty that upon entrance into the European Union Poland's anti-abortion laws will remain intact. The Polish government caves in to the Church's pressure and sends a letter to the European Union to seek assurances that "no EU treaties or annexes to those treaties will hamper the Polish government in regulating moral issues or those concerning the protection of human life.

polish newspaper2

Goodbye

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The last trip

The Langenort sails to international waters very early in the morning to avoid…

Artists or abortion doctors?

Women on Waves are invited to participate in an art event at Modelarnia, a…

Kremlin, Acropolis, Eiffel Tower, Langenort!

The Langenort does not sail out again due to weather conditions, and instead…

Open Ship

An open house day is held on the ship to be able to provide more information.

Support us

In Wroc?aw a demonstration takes place to support the actions of Women on Waves.

Active media

Washington Times 29-06-2003, Joe Bob's week in review: "The Langenort, a…

Sailing again

The Langenort sails out into international waters for the second time. There…

Dealing

The local prosecutor has started an investigation concerning the possible…

To international waters

The Langenort can finally sail to international waters to provide Polish women…

Teaching those who want to learn

The ship moved to a publicly more accessible space so that press and visitors…

A letter of support, a drop of truth.

On the fourth day of the campaign, it almost seemed like this hectic isolated…

Custom officials

On the 22nd of June the pharmaceutical experts identify 180 Cytotec pills and…

Arriving in Władysławowo

After 48 hours of negotiation with the harbor officials, the wind lifts up and…

Calling

DZIENNIK BALTYCKI: "There will be no pregnant women coming even as close as 10…

Press, police, politicians. and phones.

In the morning of the 21st of June, a press conference is held in the…

Bright Lights, Wrong City

When the Langenort finally arrives in Poland on the 20th of June, it finds no…

Attention

On the 19th of June at two pm Women on Waves sends their international press…

Keep the closet closed

On the 16th of June, the Langenort finally sails out, after first having the…

Clogged toilets and lawyers who never stop talking.

Meanwhile, the Langenort is having some difficulties. The Langenort's engine…

Fame! Glory! Compulsory EU leader tours!

In June 2003, Women on Waves got a spot in the first Biennial of Thessalonica…

Wladywhatta?

By April 2003, the crew, press team, medical team and translators are all in…

Leaking like a sieve.

Women on Waves is careful not to announce their trip to Poland, as not to allow…

Condensed SexEd

In December 2002, Women on Waves gives one day workshops for medical…

License to question authority

Even though Women on Waves' application for a license as a first trimester…