Team—

In 2021 we continued our work with national and regional partner organizations to fight back against regressive legislation in Europe that puts reproductive rights at risk.

This summer, a bill was proposed in the Slovak Parliament that sought to extend mandatory delays in obtaining abortion care and require that patients disclose their reason for seeking an abortion, as well as other private information.

The bill would have restricted doctors' and health facilities' ability to provide evidence-based information on abortion and where to access legal care. The sole purpose of this proposed legislation was to create new barriers for patients seeking care in Slovakia. We knew we had to act.

We worked closely with national organizations in Slovakia on intensive and tireless advocacy to prevent the adoption of these harmful proposals. Together, we mobilized regional policymakers and experts as well as civil society organizations worldwide, calling on Slovak parliamentarians to reject these regressive proposals. In November, the Parliament rejected the legislation.

This is just one example of the ongoing attempts to restrict reproductive rights in many countries across Europe. Will you make a gift today to support our work monitoring and fighting back against these threats to reproductive rights?

When you donate before midnight this Friday, December 31, a group of Center donors have pledged to match it — $5 for every $1, up to $200,000 — to protect reproductive rights around the world.

Joining forces with activists in Poland and around the world, we also called on the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to mobilize against the grave retrogressions on abortion rights in the country.

We stand in solidarity with the courageous human rights defenders whose safety and well-being are increasingly threatened by repeated and continuing actions by the Polish authorities that undermine respect for human rights and the rule of law.

We continue to demand that Poland abide by its international human rights obligations to refrain from regressive measures that roll back reproductive rights, and for authorities to take necessary action to guarantee access to abortion care.

With your support we will continue this vital work to protect abortion access for everyone, everywhere. Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Adriana Lamačková
Senior Legal Adviser, Europe