Photo : AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski
09 June 2022, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #223
IN FOCUS
By Rishma Banerjee
Poland’s pregnancy tracking database renews debate on women’s rights to abortion
Recent developments
On 03 June, Poland’s health minister, Adam Niedzielski signed an ordinance that will require doctors to register all pregnancies that they treat. This register had been in the pipelines since the beginning of 2021, but there were significant delays in its implementation of the same.
As per this new order, Poland will start maintaining a central digital database, which will require doctors to note down allergies, blood type, medications taken, and underlying medical conditions of any of their pregnant patients. A health ministry spokesperson, Wojciech Andrusiewicz said that this move is to improve the treatment available for pregnant women, as this registry will let any doctor in the state or the EU know if they can administer any type of medication or order tests like x-rays.
Gradual deterioration of women’s rights in Poland
Abortion was legalized in Poland in 1932 when the state was under communist rule. A woman could terminate her pregnancy, if it posed a risk to her health and life, or was the result of a criminal act. This law was further extended in 1956 when those “experiencing difficult conditions” were brought under the gamut of women who could request an abortion.
However, since the end of the communist rule, Poland’s abortion laws have become increasingly restrictive. In 1993, the term “experiencing difficult conditions” was dropped from the law, and abortion was made legal for only those pregnancies facing a serious health risk, which were a result of rape or incest, or those where there was irreversible damage to the fetus. In 2020, Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that abortion in cases of fetal defects was also unconstitutional, and by January 2021, the court’s ruling entered into force, after being published in the Journal of Laws.
Now with the introduction of the database, it is anticipated that the body autonomy of women will be compromised further. Poland is facing criticism for the new provision, and opposition MPs have termed the digital database as a "pregnancy register". Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, a left-wing parliamentarian, and activist said: “Polish women no longer get pregnant for fear of being forced to give birth in any situation. The reasons for fear have just arrived…The pregnancy registry in a country with an almost complete ban on abortion is terrifying."
What does this mean?
First, the effect of the strict measure on women. It might lead polish women to take up medically unsafe methods to terminate a pregnancy, or travel abroad to Germany, the Czech Republic, or other countries where the procedure is allowed. Since abortion of a fetus with congenital defects is not allowed, having to carry such a pregnancy to term often has severe effects on the mother’s mental and physical health. Doctors too are often unwilling to consider abortion, even if the pregnant woman’s life is at risk, fearing intense follow-up questioning and prosecution. The situation is even bleaker for the countless refugee women from Ukraine in Poland, who have been victims of sexual violence. While it is true that Poland allows termination of pregnancies that are results of rape, proving so must be a traumatic affair for the women who already are facing challenges due to their displacement and the war in their own state.
Second, the issue of privacy and agency. The primary fear about the new database is with regards to privacy and increased surveillance. Medical data can be given to the police or to state prosecutors which can lead not only lead to harassment, but also legal action by the state. While at home abortion pills or soliciting an abortion abroad cannot be pursued legally in Poland, anyone found helping a woman access this can face prosecution. This database might further exacerbate the atmosphere of intimidation that women wanting to terminate their pregnancies face.
Third, the renewal of my body is my choice debate. The ordinance for the database comes at a time when the US is also seeing protests against abortion rights. While many states in the US have strict anti-abortion laws in place, the overturning of the Roe v. Wade ruling that is expected in the coming weeks will render a federal ban on abortion in 26 states. Even in the 21st century, such policing of women’s bodies, especially in developed states, might herald an era of further regression in women’s rights.
References
Vanessa Gera, “Poland, with near-total abortion ban, to record pregnancies,” Associated Press News, 06 June 2022
“Outrage in Poland over new 'pregnancy register' on the back of near-total abortion ban,” Euronews, 07 June 2022
Carlo Martuschelli and Sarah-Taissir Bencharif, “Abortion rights in Europe vary widely — and are getting squeezed,” Politico, 03 May 2022
War in Ukraine: Day 105
By Ashwin Dhanabalan
War On The Ground
On 08 June, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting at Severodonetsk. He added that the fate of the war in Donbas would be decided in the city of Severodonetsk. Luhansk’s governor Serhiy Haidai stated that Moscow’s troops were facing significant losses and that it was impossible for Russia to control the city altogether. However, the governor was concerned about the 15,000 civilians at Severodonetsk and Lysychansk.
As the fighting intensified at Severodonetsk, the governor assured that no one in the city would surrender but rather restrain Russian advancements towards the city. Severodonetsk is a strategic point in the conflict as it is crucial for both sides in the Donbas region. Ukraine estimates that Russia has about 120 battalions inside the country and nearly 40 of the battalions around the Severodonetsk region.
On the same day, Ukraine’s nuclear state company Energoatom accused the UN’s Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of falsely using Kyiv’s name to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Energoatom said they had not extended any request to IAEA to visit the plant, as it would then legitimize Russia’s presence there.
Also, On 08 June, families of the soldiers who died in Mariupol said that they had received 160 bodies of the soldiers who were holed up in the city’s Azovstal steelworks. They claimed it was a part of a swap with Russia, but Moscow did not comment on the same. Zelenskyy had earlier mentioned that prison transfers would follow as more than 2500 defenders were held by Russia.
On 08 June, Ukraine’s prosecutor, general Iryna Venediktova, stated that it had filed more than eight war crimes against Russian soldiers. Ukraine has already filed 16,000 investigations of war crimes against Russia since 24 February. However, Moscow denies the allegations that its troops had committed war crimes during the special operations.
The Moscow View:
Claims by Russia
On 08 June, Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia was ready for an UN-mediated meeting with Ukraine in Turkey. This comes as Lavrov visited Istanbul and met with Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. However, Lavrov stated that the UN’s involvement would be more symbolic than having any substantiative outcomes.
On the same day, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the unilateral sanctions placed by countries were illegal. The airspace closure for Russian airlines is illegitimate as it is against the 1944 Convention on international civil aviation provisions. She added that it had caused an increase in the cost of air tickets burdening passengers. She has raised her concerns with the international civil aviation organization.
Also, On 08 June, Russia’s state tech corporation Rostec mentioned that its KUB and Lancet kamikaze drones were being deployed in Ukraine. Rostec said that the drones had proven their combat worthiness in Ukraine and had accurately covered tens of kilometers and hit targets. The Lancet drone has a range of 40 kilometers with a maximum 12 kilograms payload, while the KUB drone can carry a three kg warhead and accelerate to speeds of 130 kilometers per hour.
Lavrov also discussed the prospects of allowing Ukraine to export its grains from the Black Sea port through Turkey. Turkey has been playing a crucial role as a center for trade, logistics, energy, and food exports. This would also help Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey counter the global shortage of grain exports.
The West View:
Responses from the US and Europe
On 08 June, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) released a report that the UK’s economy would suffer the most due to the conflict in Ukraine. The group forecasted the UK’s growth to initially grow by 3.6 per cent by then fall to zero per cent by 2023. Additionally, inflation is expected to stay at 8.8 per cent and reach 7.4 per cent by 2023.
On the same day, the EU said it plans to lift sanctions against Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and his two sisters. This comes as the businessman has launched a legal challenge at the European court of justice. His sisters, too, filed legal appeals to overturn sanctions that blocked their assets located in Europe.
Also, on 08 June, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Zelenskyy and discussed the situation in Ukraine and his telephonic conversation with Putin. Zelenskyy and Scholz also discussed the possible ways for Ukraine to export wheat out of the country through sea routes. Ukraine also raised concerns about Russia’s treatment of prisoners of war.
On 08 June, US president Joe Biden announced his travel plans to Germany for the G7 summit and Spain for the NATO summit. According to the White House, Biden will be discussing the war in Ukraine, the food crisis, and energy issues.
On the same day, the arctic countries of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the US said that they would resume their work but without Russia. A joint statement released further mentioned: “We intend to implement a limited resumption of our work in the Arctic Council, in projects that do not involve the participation of the Russian Federation.”
The Global Fallouts:
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 08 June, a report by BBC stated that due to the war in Ukraine, there had been a renewed rush for fossil fuels making it the new gold rush. A Climate action tracker (CAT) report stated that the world would be at risk of irreversible warming if it did not work toward ending the use of fossil fuels. Countries have been shifting back to new fossil fuel infrastructure to meet their short-term energy supplies, but those short-term supplies would cause issues for the climate targets set.
On the same day, the world bank stated that it had cut its annual forecast for global economic growth due to the significant recessions the country is facing. In addition, the World Bank said that eastern Africa and parts of Europe were majorly affected by the war in Ukraine. This could further induce stagflation like in the 1970s, where it would be a combination of high inflation and low growth.
Also, on 08 June, Sudan’s farmers expressed their concerns about the failing crops due to the rise in fertilizer costs. The farmers were also cut off from international financing that helped their production costs. Sudan is also undergoing political instability and is now likely to face a humanitarian situation due to the war in Ukraine.
References
“Mariupol: Azovstal defenders’ bodies arrive in Kyiv - families,” BBC, 08 June 2022
“Why Ukraine is furious with the UN nuclear watchdog,” BBC, 08 June 2022
Patrick Jackson, “Severodonetsk: Zelensky ties fate of east Ukraine to battle for city,” BBC, 08 June 2022
“Troops will not surrender Severodonetsk, says governor,” BBC, 08 June 2022
Dan Sabbagh, “Ukraine and Russia’ compete to be last army standing’ as Donbas deaths mount,” The Guardian, 08 June 2022
“Russia ready for UN-mediated meeting with Ukraine, but it is to be symbolic — Lavrov,” TASS, 08 June 2022
“Russian diplomat highlights illegitimacy of Western civil aviation sanctions,” TASS, 08 June 2022
“Kamikaze drones successfully used in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine — defense firm,” TASS, 08 June 2022
“Press review: Russia faces issues in Asia pivot and seeks to nationalize Ukrainian assets,” TASS, 08 June 2022
Kalyeena Makortoff, “Decision on lifting EU sanctions against Alisher Usmanov and sisters expected soon,” The Guardian, 08 June 2022
“Germany’s Scholz fills Ukraine’s Zelenskiy in on Putin call -govt spokesperson,” Reuters, 08 June 2022
“UK to be major economy worst hit by Ukraine war, says OECD,” The Guardian, 08 June 2022
“East Africa faces ‘highest living costs in decades’,” BBC, 08 June 2022
Jonah Fisher, “Ukraine war prompts fossil fuel ‘gold rush’,” BBC, 08 June 2022
Nafisa Eltahir, “Sudanese farmers warn of failing harvests as hunger rises,” Reuters, 08 June 2022
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan
BELGIUM
Belgium King visit to Democratic Republic of Congo to revamp relations
On 08 June, Belgian King Phillippe scheduled a six-day visit to Congo in an attempt to take the relations forward after a brutal memory from history. Congo which was formerly under the colonial rule of Belgium between 1885 and 1908, under the rule million people were killed, forced to collect rubber, they died from disease and colonization. It was part of Belgium's empire until its independence on 30 June 1960. During Phillippe’s first visit to Congo in 2013, he returned the traditional mask to the ethnic Suku people as a gesture to heal the past. (“Belgian king meets veteran, returns Suku mask to DR Congo,” Deutsche Welle, 08 June 2022)
ESTONIA
Baltic leaders virtually meet the NATO chief to boost security on the eastern front
On 08 June, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that they will hold virtual talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The key discussion will focus on boosting the regional security and methods to up the NATO “defence and deterrence” mainly at the eastern front. The Baltic leaders pushed for a switch from NATO battalions to brigades in the upcoming NATO summit in Madrid. (“Baltic PMs to discuss regional security with NATO chief Stoltenberg,” The Baltic Times, 08 June 2022)