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<DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><U><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Irish
Times<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
class=422042609-28072008>Monday July 28th 2008</SPAN></o:p></SPAN></P>
<H1 class=Section1
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><B><FONT
face=Symbol size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B><![endif]><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">European court to hear women's
challenge to ban on abortion<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></H1>
<P class=Section1><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">CARL O'BRIEN,
Social Affairs Correspondent</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">THE EUROPEAN Court of Human Rights
has agreed to hear a challenge by three Irish women to the Government’s ban on
abortion on the basis that their rights were denied by being forced to terminate
their pregnancies outside the State.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The women claim the restrictive
nature of Irish law on abortion jeopardised their health and their wellbeing.
Their complaint centres around four articles in the European Convention on Human
Rights, including protection from “inhuman or degrading treatment” and freedom
from discrimination.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The identity of the three women –
known as A, B and C – will remain confidential as it proceeds through the
court.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">They include a woman who ran the
risk of an ectopic pregnancy, where the foetus develops outside the womb; a
woman who received chemotherapy for cancer; and a woman whose children were
placed in care as she was unable to cope.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Irish Family Planning
Association (IFPA), which is supporting the case as part of its campaign to
introduce legal abortion services in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, said the grounds on which
the case is being taken are “very strong”.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">“We hope the case will advance
quickly through the court, ultimately making a strong recommendation to the
Government to reform Irish laws and the current status quo on abortion,” a
spokesperson said.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Government has been asked by the
court to indicate who they wish to sit as a judge in the case and to submit its
observations to the Strasbourg-based court.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The case was originally lodged with
the court three years ago. However, the court has in recent weeks requested
written observations from the Government and the women
involved.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any decision of the court is binding
on the member states and must be complied with, except in very limited
circumstances.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The court can decide to hold a
public hearing, which would be likely to be held in the middle of next year.
Alternatively, the court may review the case in paper format, followed by a
public ruling, which could occur more quickly.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The IFPA says the case has the
potential to contribute to a change in the law, just as the 1988 Norris case
resulted in the decriminalisation of homosexuality.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It points to a ruling by the court
two years ago which resulted in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> being instructed to guarantee
access to legal abortions.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It awarded damages to Alicia Tysiac,
a 36-year-old woman who had sought an abortion when her doctor warned that
giving birth again would seriously damage her already failing
eyesight.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">She was unable to terminate the
pregnancy. After giving birth, she suffered a retinal haemorrhage, and her sight
deteriorated drastically.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Anti-abortion groups here,
meanwhile, argue that a new constitutional amendment is needed to prohibit
abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">They say there is a need to restore
legal protection for unborn children as a result of the 1992 Supreme Court
decision in the X case, which legalised abortion in certain
circumstances.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<H1 class=Section1
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><B><FONT
face=Symbol size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B><![endif]><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Tug-of-war over the right to
choose<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></H1>
<P class=Section1><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">DEREK
SCALLY</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The dramatic case of a 14-year-old
girl who sought a termination to her pregnancy became a high-profile battle
between the two sides of the bitter Polish abortion debate, writes Derek
Scally.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ON A BUSY <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City> street, a dazed
teenage girl trots to keep up with her mother, who strides through the crowd,
throwing anxious glances behind her. A small woman is following them, running to
keep up. The mother hails a taxi and jumps in with her
daughter.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Just drive, just drive!" she
screams at the driver. Outside, she hears the small woman calling in the taxi's
licence plate on her mobile phone. Then the passenger door is ripped open and
their pursuer climbs in.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Leave us alone, woman!" screams the
mother.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The smaller woman ignores her and
barks at the speechless taxi driver: "If you don't want to have problems with
the police you'll stay right where you are." The woman delivering the orders
isn't an undercover police officer chasing bank robbers. She is a pro-life
activist; the prize she is chasing lies inside the
14-year-old.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It's the dramatic high point of an
extraordinary tale that played out last month, of an ordinary mother and
daughter in the limbo of Poland's abortion laws, caught between passive public
officials and intimidating pro-life activists.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The story began several weeks
earlier when Anna, a single mother in <st1:City w:st="on">Lublin</st1:City>,
southwest <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, got a call from a local
gynaecologist. The doctor said that Anna's daughter was pregnant, even though
she was underage. The father, also underage, was a boy in school, the
circumstances of the pregnancy unclear. Today, Agata, the pseudonym by which the
14-year-old is now known in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, is reticent about how she
became pregnant.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"I knew I was pregnant but it didn't
feel like it was happening to me," she says, sitting in a <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> basement bar,
studying her fingers as she relives her ordeal. She is a gamine, dark-haired
girl with jewel-like eyes, one minute a nervous child, the next an engaging
young woman. She is a collection of pubescent contradictions who falls silent
when her mother interrupts her.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"She knew she was pregnant, but she
didn't know what it meant," says Anna, a thin, outspoken woman with long blond
hair and a friendly, tired smile.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"When I heard, I just thought: 'What
to do? What to do? Go somewhere, do something.' I felt like I was watching my
own life from a distance."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">When mother and daughter agreed that
an abortion would be best, Anna knew they would have a fight on their hands. But
she says she had no idea of the battle they would
face.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Along with <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Poland</st1:country-region> has some of the most restrictive abortion
legislation in <st1:place
w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Termination is permitted in only
three cases: where the life or health of the mother is at risk, where the foetus
is severely and irreversibly damaged or incurably ill, or where the pregnancy is
the result of a criminal act. In Agata's case it was the third category: both
she and the boy were minors. But the reality of modern <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> is that
these already restrictive laws are applied even more restrictively.
Gynaecologists may refuse to perform an abortion for reasons of conscience. If
so, they are obliged under law to find another doctor who will comply with the
woman's wishes. But there is no legal mechanism to sanction doctors who refuse
to do so, which often happens.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"The government accepts that women
have these limited rights to abortion under the law, but says it doesn't have an
obligation to make these rights real," says Wanda Nowicka, head of the Women's
Federation in Warsaw, and the country's leading campaigner for the
liberalisation of reproductive rights.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Some 30 years ago, she says, women
from all over Europe headed to communist <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> for
abortions. Today, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> is experiencing a return to
"traditional" Catholic values with an active pro-life lobby and a growing number
of doctors who refuse to perform even legal abortions. In 2006, among 10 million
Polish women of a reproductive age, just 340 women had legal abortions, down
from 682 a decade earlier.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">RECENTLY IN PARLIAMENT, a new law to
allow for the protection of life from the moment of conception only narrowly
failed to pass.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"It's a top-down movement of
Catholic clergy, opportunisitic politicians and conservative lawyers that want
further restrictions," says Nowicka, pointing to a recent survey showing that 46
per cent are in favour of more liberal regulations. With the restrictive
regulations, between 50,000 and 80,000 women have back-street abortions each
year, costing as much as 4,000 Polish zlotych (€1,200) a time; others travel to
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Ukraine</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Belarus</st1:place></st1:country-region>. An
unknown number order so-called "abortion pills" via the
internet.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Anna and Agata decided against a
backstreet abortion and decided to proceed officially. It was a decision they
came to regret as one hospital after another in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> rejected their request, claiming they
were unsure whether they were legally entitled to perform the
procedure.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"The law is clear on this, it's
people who make it complicated, and you can create obstacles if you want,
without fear of disciplinary proceedings," says Monika Gasiorowska, lawyer for
Anna and Agata.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Officials told Anna she needed one
statement, then another, she needed signatures, then witnessed signatures. All
unnecessary obstacles. This was a crime, we had statements, but they kept
putting obstacles in her way."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As her mother battled the
bureaucrats, Agata spent a week waiting in a <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> hospital as the 12-week deadline neared,
after which it would be illegal to have an
abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A frequent visitor was Fr Krzysztof
Podstawka, a pro-life activist and head of the local church-sponsored centre for
single mothers. Fr Podstawka, a tanned, handsome 39-year-old, grew up in
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City>. At a
cafe behind the city's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Catholic</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, he speaks in an earnest,
modulated tone about how he became involved in the Agata
case.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"I heard through the hospital that
there was a girl there who needed help. There were signals that her decision to
have an abortion was not fully independent," he says. "I decided to drop by to
talk to her because I felt she should know all her options. I got the impression
after talking to her that here was a girl who was expecting my
help."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Today, he declines to elaborate on
who at the hospital contacted him, and is unclear about what signals he
received. But, after meetings Agata several times, he produced a letter from her
in which she wrote that she was prepared to keep the
baby.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Fr Krzysztof pressured me to write
the letter. I didn't think he would use it against me," says Agata, shaking her
head at the memory. "He cared more about the baby than me, he would have done
anything to save the baby without any regard for
me."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Fr Podstawka denies pressuring Agata
to write the letter, claiming she had told school friends that she wanted a
baby.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">After a week and no abortion, Agata
and Anna left the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> hospital. Fr Podstawka heard through
sources he declines to identify that they had contacted the Women's Federation
and were travelling to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City> to go through with the
abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Mother and daughter, confident they
had left their problems behind in <st1:City w:st="on">Lublin</st1:City>, were
shocked when the priest walked into the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City> clinic. "I had business in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City> and decided to drop
by the hospital," he says.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Anna and Agata don't believe that;
they say he obtained Agata's medical records from fellow pro-lifers at <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> hospital, a breach
of patient confidentiality.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"He went to the hospital in
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City> on
purpose, 1,000 per cent," says Anna vigorously. "I'd cut off my hand to swear
that he came to the hospital on purpose." Shortly after Fr Podstawka arrived in
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City>, Agata's
details appeared on the internet and events spiralled out of
control.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">HUNDREDS OF E-MAILS began arriving
in the hospital administration office, and the phones starting ringing
incessantly. A crowd of pro-life campaigners picketed the hospital entrance and
smuggled in gifts to Agata: a box of chocolates with a card reading "Open your
heart"; a foetus development picture book. Anna's hopes that everyone would
leave them alone were draining away, replaced by constant, growing psychological
pressure.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"We wanted to be polite to Fr
Podstawka as we're talking to you now," says Anna. "But I simply cannot
understand how complete strangers forced themselves so brutally into our lives
with no respect whatsoever."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As a media circus pitched up outside
the hospital, the hospital director and a city official held a crisis meeting
with Anna to explain why they would not now be able to perform the
abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"They showed me hundreds of e-mails
from pro-lifers, starting with one from Fr Podstawka, containing Agata's
personal data. I was so emotional I broke down in tears," says Anna. "I started
screaming: 'What the f**k do they want from us?' Then the city hall official
said that if they went ahead with the abortion, the protesters would ruin the
hospital. 'They won't leave us alone, they'll destroy the hospital's reputation,
women will be afraid to come here in future.' "<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Unknown to Anna at the time,
pro-life campaigners had lobbied <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> family court to strip her of custody of
Agata. The grounds: suspicion that she was forcing her daughter to have an
abortion. A fax to that effect was sent to the hospital in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City>, just as a
distraught Anna left with Agata, pushing her way through the crowd of
campaigners outside.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">One of them followed them through
the streets of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City>, shouting "Agata, I love you!" When that
didn't slow them down, she cornered them in the taxi, announcing: "This woman
has been stripped of her parental rights."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"I don't know how she knew about the
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> court
ruling," says Anna. "It wasn't even public yet."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">By now in panic, Anna dragged Agata
from the taxi and hailed a passing police car that took them to the next police
station. When the police heard about the <st1:City w:st="on">Lublin</st1:City>
court decision, Fr Podstawka had shown up once again, and mother and daughter
were returned to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Lublin</st1:place></st1:City> in a police van. There, they were
separated and Agata was placed in juvenile care.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">After two unsuccessful attempts to
have an abortion, confronting a pro-life mob and being chased through the
streets of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:place></st1:City>, the 14-year-old was still pregnant and
now very much alone. She was headline news, but her only contact with the
outside world was the chirruping of her mobile phone, delivering text messages
of "support" from strangers as well as a steady stream of texts from Fr
Podstawka.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">He says she contacted him first
after he gave her his number. She says the messages were initiated by him, and
that he made her number public on the internet.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"He would keep sending messages,"
Agata remembers, "saying things like: 'People from Krakow, <st1:City
w:st="on">Warsaw</st1:City> and <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poznan</st1:place></st1:City> are joining together to help you. Be
brave.' " After 10 hours in the juvenile home, she began bleeding heavily and
was rushed to hospital and placed in an isolation ward, away from her mother.
For Anna, this was the lowest point in the ordeal.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"They put her in isolation to enable
her to make up her own mind. It was just too much to have so many people judging
us, judging me as a bad mother, a good-for-nothing," she
says.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Unknown to her, assistants of Fr
Podstawka were still able to visit Agata. As the pressure continued to build,
health minister Eva Kopacz was forced to intervene. She arranged for Agata to
travel to a clinic in another city for the termination. After that news leaked
via a Catholic news agency, pro-life campaigners called for the minister's
resignation; others are campaigning for her excommunication from the Catholic
Church.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The health ministry declined
requests for an interview, noting only in a written statement that, in
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the "right of a pregnant
woman to have an abortion in limited circumstances is equivalent to the right of
a doctor to deny health services for reasons of
conscience".<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">IN <st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">MANY WAYS</st1:address></st1:Street>, the Agata
saga is of the government's own making. Two years ago, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Poland</st1:country-region> was instructed to guarantee access to
legal abortions by the European Court of Human Rights in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Strasbourg</st1:place></st1:City>. It awarded
damages to Alicia Tysiac, a 36-year-old woman who had sought an abortion when
her doctor warned that giving birth again would seriously damage her already
failing eye-sight. She was passed from one doctor to the next, each delivering a
different diagnosis about the risks of giving birth, until it became too late to
terminate the pregnancy. After giving birth, she suffered a retinal haemorrhage,
and her sight deteriorated drastically.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Strasbourg</st1:place></st1:City> she won costs and €25,000 in damages
and a ruling that the Polish government "must not structure its legal framework
in such a way as to limit" legal access to abortion. <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> had
breached Tysiac's rights by not having an effective mechanism to rule on whether
she had met the legal conditions for a legal
abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Two years on, provisions to change
that situation are in political limbo in parliament, along with the rest of a
health reform bill.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"The government has still done
nothing," says Tysiac, the euphoria of last year's ruling long past. "There is a
complete lack of interest by the government in the situation of women, and they
don't act unless they absolutely have to."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">She is not sure that the situation
will even improve for women refused legal abortions, particularly if the
proposed appeals body is filled with doctors who have conscientious objections
to abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">An even greater obstacle in the
battle for greater reproductive rights, says Wanda Nowicka of the Women's
Federation, is widespread public hypocrisy towards
abortion.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"The hypocrisy extends to women who
come to us seeking help. They say they are actually anti-abortion but need an
abortion just in their own, special case. It's difficult to plan a revolution
with people like that."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">HYPOCRISY ABOUT abortion is not
limited to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but the Agata case did
demonstrate several other uniquely Polish elements.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The strength of the religious right
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> means that, in the public
debate on abortion, it is able to define the terms, for instance, warning that
liberalising abortion laws will create what they term a "culture of
death".<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Public officials defer to these
groups, wittingly or unwittingly, and demonstrate little knowledge - or interest
in knowing - about <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s human rights obligations
under various international treaties.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The most Polish element of the Agata
saga, however, is a tradition of public piety, one that compels people to
actively and publicly intervene in a stranger's personal decision. In the battle
to prevent a "culture of death", it seems that the end justifies almost all
means.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"After learning about the case, I
was prepared to do virtually everything for her," said Fr Podstawka. Today, he
says he regrets how the case turned into a media circus, and that Agata had an
abortion. However he says he acted in clear conscience and alone, denying that
he leaked Agata's details. But Agata and her mother say they have seen proof
that he did just that.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Even if law permits abortion of a
pregnancy resulting from a forbidden act - sex between minors - it doesn't mean
you have to agree to it," says Fr Podstawka. "From the beginning I acted as a
man of faith who tried to help a girl in a difficult situation. We lost this
battle but the war is not over."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Asked how she may have given him the
impression that the decision to terminate the pregnancy was not her own, an
incredulous Agata replies with a flash of anger in her
eyes.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Let's put it this way: if the
leader of a pro-life movement wants to protect a baby, what else would he say?"
In the moral hall of mirrors of modern <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region>, little is as it appears. Fr
Podstawka sees himself as a man of moral convictions who saw a girl in need and
an unborn life to protect. Speaking to him, it is clear that, far from the
Polish media portrayals, he is a measured, earnest and intense man of genuine
conviction. Women's groups condemn Fr Podstawka for taking a 14-year-old girl
hostage in an ideological battle, and the government for allowing him to do so.
But the silent majority in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Poland</st1:place></st1:country-region> isn't lining up to support
them in their condemnation.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Agata and Anna feel harassed and
betrayed, but have limited options for redress: the only clear breach of the law
was the leaking of Agata's medical details. Their lawyer is doubtful that they
would secure a conviction if they pursued a case.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Every day I have to repeat that
it's over, it's gone, it won't come back," says Agata slowly. "I will feel it's
over once I am able to cry and shout in Fr Krzysztof's face after all he's done
to me: 'You shouldn't have done that. All those people shouldn't have done that
to me.' I need to do that."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Her mother shakes her head,
gathering herself up to head home. "That's not the way to do it, you can't do
that," she says. "All I want, the way to solve this, is for our public servants
to perform their duty."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Anna and Agata's names have been
changed<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<H1 class=Section1
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><B><FONT
face=Symbol size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B><![endif]><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dissident Catholic groups target
'Humanae Vitae'<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></H1>
<P class=Section1><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">PADDY AGNEW in
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Rome</st1:City></st1:place></SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITALY:MORE THAN 50 dissident
Catholic groups chose to mark yesterday's 40th anniversary of the encyclical
Humanae Vitae, which effectively introduced the Catholic Church's ban on
contraception, by taking out a half-page advertisement in Italian daily Corriere
Della Sera claiming that the church's teachings on sexuality had been
catastrophic for the world's poor, had left millions at risk of HIV and had been
an "utter failure", writes Paddy Agnew.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Calling on Pope Benedict XVI to lift
"the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Vatican</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s dangerous ban on
contraception", the dissident groups argued that the teachings of Humanae Vitae
had proved to be a source of conflict and division within the church and had had
a devastating impact on the developing world.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">" has had a catastrophic impact on
the poor and powerless around the world, endangering women's lives and leaving
millions at risk of HIV. The impact of the ban has been particularly disastrous
in the global south, and because the Catholic hierarchy holds significant sway
over many national family planning policies, it obstructs the implementation of
good public health policies on family planning and HIV
prevention.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Most Catholics use modern
contraceptives," the letter continued, "believe it is a moral choice to do so
and consider themselves to be good Catholics, yet the Catholic hierarchy
completely denies this reality, forcing the clergy into silence on this and most
other issues related to sexuality."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Written by organisations including
Catholics For Choice, New Ways Ministry and Wir Sind Kirche, and representing
Catholics in Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, El
Salvador, France, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Portugal,
Spain, the United Kingdom and the USA, the letter concludes: "Pope Benedict, we
call on you to use this anniversary as an opportunity to start the process of
healing by being true to the positive aspects of Catholic teachings on sexuality
and lifting the ban on contraception to allow Catholics to plan their families
safely and in good conscience."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Speaking on Vatican radio yesterday
afternoon, senior <st1:place w:st="on">Vatican</st1:place> spokesman Father
Federico Lombardi said the spread of Aids was not linked in any way either to a
population's religious beliefs or to the influence of the
hierarchy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><U><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Irish
Independent<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><U><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></FONT></U></B></P>
<H1 class=Section1
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><B><FONT
face=Symbol size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B><![endif]><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Rogue pregnancy agencies accused of
giving bad advice<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></H1>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Rogue pregnancy agencies are
manipulating women with unethical, biased advice, according to a pro-choice
group.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Choice <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> says
some organisations give advice solely in the hopes of persuading women not to
terminate their pregnancy.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The group are staging demonstrations
in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dublin</st1:place></st1:City> this
afternoon to highlight the issue ahead of their meeting with an Oireachtas
committee this autumn.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><B><U><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">International
Miscellaneous<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></U></B></P>
<H3 class=Section1
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><B><FONT
face=Symbol color=#006699 size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #006699; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B><![endif]><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">'Women must get the right to choose'<A
name=94173> </A><FONT color=#006699><SPAN
style="COLOR: #006699"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></H3>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">THE Family Planning Association
(FPA) has launched a campaign to extend abortion legislation to
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Northern Ireland</st1:country-region>, stating
women here should be given the same choices as in the rest of the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dr Audrey Simpson (pictured),
Director of FPA services in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Northern
Ireland</st1:country-region>, said: "We welcome the fact that these Westminster
MPs recognise the inequality that women in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Northern Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region>
face on a daily basis. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"FPA argue that since the 1967
Abortion Act was passed, women in <st1:country-region
w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region> have access to safe, legal abortions while
for women in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Northern
Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> it is nearly impossible. This means
women have to travel to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> to pay for a private
abortion, as well as the costs of travel and accommodation.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">"Emotive and moral arguments cannot
be stronger forces than the laws governing basic human rights."
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">She added: "Women in the rest of the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> have access to abortion. Due to
discrimination and inequality, women in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Northern Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> do not. Abortion in
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Northern
Ireland</st1:place></st1:country-region> is not just a health issue, it's also a
class issue, because it's only women with the financial means who've got the
option to travel and pay for the procedure." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Section1><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As part of its campaign, FPA plans
to work with the pro-choice movement and will lobby MPs to vote yes for the
amendment to see equal rights for women. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P><![if !supportLists]>
<H3 class=Section1
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><![endif]><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Romania</SPAN></FONT></B></st1:place></st1:country-region><B><FONT
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> to Allow Girls Under
Age 15 to Have Abortions Up to 24 Weeks<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B> </H3>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">BUCHAREST</SPAN></FONT></st1:City><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Romania</st1:country-region></SPAN></FONT></st1:place><FONT
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> — <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Romania</SPAN></FONT></st1:place></st1:country-region><FONT
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">'s health ministry says it has proposed a
law allowing under-15s to have an abortion at up to 24 weeks.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Current legislation does not allow for
abortions beyond 14 weeks, except to save a woman's life and in the case of
extraordinary circumstances. The circumstances are not specified in the
law.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The proposal comes after the highly
publicized case of an 11-year-old rape and incest
victim.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">A government panel ruled she could have an
abortion at 21 weeks as an exceptional case. However, there were protests from
religious groups. She had the termination in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region> earlier
this month.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Romania</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">'s health ministry proposed the draft law earlier this
week, and announced it Thursday. It is expected to be enacted on Aug. 21. In the
meantime, public and medical debate will contribute to its final wording<SPAN
class=422042609-28072008><FONT color=#0000ff> . </FONT></SPAN></SPAN><![if !supportLists]><![endif]><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><U><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></FONT></U></B></P></BODY></HTML>