Polish Court Overturns Conviction, Orders Retrial for Abortion Rights Activist

A Polish appeals court has annulled the conviction of activist Justyna Wydrzyńska, who was sentenced for providing abortion pills to a woman in need, ordering a retrial due to concerns about the impartiality of the original judge. Wydrzyńska's case has become emblematic of the struggle for abortion rights in Poland, where laws are among the strictest in Europe, allowing abortion only in limited circumstances. Following the ruling, supporters gathered outside the court, while Wydrzyńska expressed that true victory would mean her exoneration. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have hailed the decision as a step towards justice and called for the withdrawal of charges against her. Despite the strict legal framework, a network of abortion rights groups reports an increasing demand for support, indicating a disconnect between official policy and the realities faced by women in Poland. The retrial will revisit the circumstances that led to Wydrzyńska's initial guilty verdict, reflecting ongoing tensions surrounding reproductive rights in the country.