Protesters in Poland have defied the coronavirus lockdown to oppose a proposal that would tighten already-restrictive abortion rules in the country.
While public gatherings have been banned, videos and photos showed people in the streets of cities across Poland, protesting 1.5 metres apart from each other in line with social distancing guidelines.
Others drove around in cars waving banners out of the window, or hung posters from bikes to circumvent the ban.
Women's rights activists, wearing masks against the spread of covid-19, protest against the tightening Poland's strict anti-abortion law in Warsaw, Poland. Source: AAP
Many more posted videos online in a "virtual protest".
Abortion rights are highly contentious in Poland, where the Roman Catholic church still wields broad influence, not least over the conservative ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, but considerable public opposition is currently muted by the lockdown.
The bill would ban abortion in one of the few instances in which it is allowed in Poland - where prenatal tests show serious, irreversible damage to the foetus. Other preconditions are incest, rape and risks to maternal health.
"We are talking about whether in Poland we can cut people into pieces without anaesthetic," Kaja Godek, one of the authors of the proposal, told parliament.
Protest participant inside the car with 'Women's hell' banner is seen in Gdansk, Poland. Source: AAP
PiS has in the past retreated from proposals virtually to ban abortion outright after a public outcry. By Wednesday, about 700,000 people had signed an online petition to the government opposing the bill.
Protesters circumvented the coronavirus lockdown by protesting from their cars or bikes. Source: AAP
Black umbrellas
Lone black umbrellas - a symbol of Poland's abortion rights movement - also dotted windows in parts of Warsaw.
"You are exposing poor women to fear," said Barbara Nowacka, a leftist member of parliament. "Polish women are smart, brave and aware ... they will choose the good of their family and their loved ones."
Campaigners also say the PiS would be criticised if it pushed the bill through when there are restrictions on public life because of the coronavirus pandemic prohibit demonstrations.
Activists of the 'Women strike: we don't fold umbrellas' campaign take part in a protest against the tightening of abortion laws. Source: AAP
Opinion polls indicate that incumbent president Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, is likely to be re-elected on May 10, although the pandemic has increased the unpredictability of the vote.
PiS is seeking to hold the ballot by post rather than polling booths, but a bill to do so might clear parliament only days before the election date, leaving little time to organise.
The opposition has said the vote should be postponed because opposition campaigning has been limited by the pandemic while Mr Duda's office has given him a privileged platform.
Conservative Polish President Andrzej Duda is likely to be re-elected on May 10, although the pandemic has increased the unpredictability of the vote. Source: AAP
Rights activists say the pandemic has also curbed Polish women's access to abortion abroad because of travel restrictions throughout Europe.
Many women terminate pregnancies in Germany, Slovakia and further away, in cases when it would be illegal in Poland, or when hospitals refuse to perform an abortion that is legal.
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