In the spotlight: Alicja Tysiąc

Tysiąc became pregnant in 2000 and three doctors told her she could go blind if she gave birth to the child. However, they refused to write her a certificate that would authorize an abortion. Tysiąc gave birth, and her vision has detoriated to the extent that she can now see just 1.5 meters in front of her. She is now forced to live on a zł.600-per-month disability pension.

The Strasbourg-based court criticized Polish law for having no procedure for resolving cases where doctors disagree over whether an abortion is justified. The court ordered Poland to pay her R25,000 (zł.96,970) in compensation and R14,000 (zł.54,300) for incurred legal costs.

"I hope the verdict will help other women, so that doctors will stop treating us like objects," Tysiàc said.

The verdict added fuel to the already fiery debate over abortion in the ruling coalition. The ultra-conservative League of Polish Families (LPR) demanded the government challenge the ruling.

"Accepting the decision would be an absolute scandal," LPR leader and Minister of Education, Roman Giertych, declared. "It would make abortion on demand possible in Poland."

However, Minister of Health Zbigniew Religa said that he agreed with the verdict and did not expect Poland to appeal against it. He also spoke out against changing the current abortion law, which the government is considering.