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If you would like to comment on any of the issues raised in Correspondent: Abortion Ship, please send us your views.

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The comments published reflect the balance of views received:

All life is sacred and abortion is just another word for murder. The sensitivities of the Catholic people of Poland were arrogantly ignored by the Dutch doctor. I should like to express solidarity with the Catholic defenders of the unborn.
Su Patel

I have to say I was rather disgusted with the attitude of the women workers on board the ship.The programme showed the women being interviewed before taking the abortion pill and one of the ladies said that she had to have the abortion as she could not afford another child.

Would it not be more productive and helpful if the ladies who run this ship strive to ensure that they have helped this lady explore all avenues of potential income?
Alan

Many people have commented on the comparison between having an abortion and clipping toenails made by one of the women on the programme. Rather than being a sign of a dismissive attitude towards what having an abortion entails this should be seen as a sad indication of the position that pro-choice groups have been forced into. Anyone who has made the difficult decision to have an abortion knows that it is not an easy choice made lightly.
Victoria

It was distressing to see these girls on the Abortion ship had no counselling. Jane Bell

I was not suprised to see that most of the protesters were men shouting "Nazi" etc. It made me wonder how many of them were responsible for children or just there to stand up for the male point of view, because this was all run by women for women and giving them some freedom of choice.
Roz

It was distressing to see these girls on the Abortion ship had no counselling. They were saying they had no choice, but they were not told about the dangers of abortion or the complications that can arise. Like all abortion clinics, they were not told that they were killing a perfect little person.
Jane Bell

Virtually all the one-to-one interviews in this programme were with the pro-abortionists. But of course you cannot interview the real victims of abortion.
David Harris

Whether anyone likes it or not, there are two sides to the debate and it was a pity that in this programme, the value of the pro-life position was cast in the most negative possible light.
Gerard

If abortion is to be legalised in Poland, then I suggest that the people of Poland should decide by referendum just as the people of Ireland have in the past. Certainly, a semi-legal floating abortion clinic is neither the safe nor sensible answer to this problem.
David Doyle

If English women are allowed to decide for themselves what to do with unwanted pregnancy, why shouldn't Polish women be? Or are they not able to see right from wrong, so the priests and male politicians have to show them?
Kasia

I found it shocking to hear one of the ladies compare an unborn child to a toe nail clipping Gerry

Dr Rebecca Gomperts is indeed an inspiration. Her courage and tenacity in the face of right-wing Catholic bias was awe-inspiring.
Paul Hession

Please forward my support to Dr Gomperts and all her team. I am astonished that in Europe we are still allowing women's lives to be ruled by a male dominated church. Keep up the good work.
Sue Lamb

I found it shocking to hear one of the ladies compare an unborn child to a toe nail clipping in her attempt to justify abortion. The lack of respect for life shown by this remark is deeply disturbing. I was also unsettled by Dr Gomperts' total conviction that her position on abortion is right. Her inability to question her own position or recognise that she is a fallible human being should give pause for thought to anyone listening to her arguments in favour of abortion.
Gerry

An interesting programme, but the journalists could have talked to some locals and asked their opinions. Dr Gomperts seems to be an idealistic woman and believes her cause is one of justice; but then so do people who are pro-life.

I feel strongly that journalists, if they are to cover the issue responsibly, should explore the nuances and full implications of this moral dilemma rather than only looking at the two polarised camps.
Rafael

I was disappointed at the bias in some of the programme. Most of the one-to-one discussions featured the pro-abortionists, whereas the pro-lifers were featured in groups. A more balanced view would have had more direct interviews with Polish pro-lifers.

Rather sad to listen to one of the pro-life "telephone advisers" comparing an abortion to removing a toenail. As a medical doctor I agree with the fact that a medical abortion is not "simply taking a pill" - but can be much more complicated.
Peter

I have nothing but sheer admiration for the women involved Seymour Glass

I had no idea about this "Abortion Ship", and was fascinated and appalled by the women who want to bring abortion to Poland. What was motivating these women? It certainly was not love. Why don't they want to use their strength and energy changing attitudes about pregnancy, educating people, communities, governments to accept and support women who are facing pregnancy?

I wish we were living in a world where no children were aborted. I wish governments would make a commitment to preventing abortion by helping and supporting women and young girls who are struggling with pregnancy and children.
Beatrice

I am appalled yet again at the BBC backing programmes that are clearly anti-Catholic. I understand that there are two sides of the argument to abortion, so please show two sides. Why can't you interview women who have ruined their lives through abortion, suffering immense grief and loss until they die. Suffering mental health problems and infertility as a result. Why did you not interview doctors who clearly have a view that the embryo is a human life from conception.
Bernadette, UK

A brilliantly-handled and very moving documentary, and commendably without bias. I have nothing but sheer admiration for the women involved and hope the Correspondent team will report on them again (and let us know if any of the women helped at the clinic were charged with any criminal activity - though the Polish authorities surely have no case?).
Seymour Glass

Does the BBC have any plans for a programme allowing a calm, reasoned presentation of the anti-abortion case? Peter Markey

This was a thought-provoking programme - on the one hand we had religious extremists with chants of "go home gestapo / nazis / bolsheviks" etc and on the other hand the girl manning the "hotline" comparing abortion to clipping her toenails. All good for the ratings I'm sure.

What I would love to see is a calm scientific debate on our current understanding of embryology and arguments put for and against the belief that human existence begins at conception. Now I would pay to watch that.
John Matthews

The programme, while reporting on an attempt to introduce abortion facilities for women in Poland, was really a piece of pro-abortion propaganda. Does the BBC have any plans for a programme allowing a calm, reasoned presentation of the anti-abortion case?
Peter Markey

A brilliant programme. I was disgusted by the male MP and the various official bodies trying to thwart the operation. Once again, religion and male domination seek to control a woman's right to decide for herself. I presume this admirable team are funded by charitable donations. If I knew where to send money I certainly would after watching this programme. Well done to the makers of Correspondent, another excellent programme.
Sandra Douglas

Good luck to the Dutch doctor. Women should decide what happens to their bodies NOT any Government.
Alan Oak

I thought it was a disgrace that the Poles should be subjected to these vile people whose main goal seemed to be to stir up trouble. Surely if the women of Poland want abortions they can drive to one of their neighbouring states to do so.
John

I was inspired to see the brave women making a stand for the lives of women in Poland Paula Coles

The BBC chose a clever way to keep up its daily dose of Catholic bashing. I fear its getting close to the point where Catholics will no longer feel they can watch or trust the BBC. When is the next dose of bashing due?
Jude

If Catholicism, or for that matter any individual or group of individuals wish to condemn such basic human rights as access to contraception and information, or more the controversial abortion then let them, within the confines of their own community. It is fundamentally wrong for something as subjective as religious view points to influence the legal regime of a whole country.
Zoë Roberts

Watched the programme and was amazed by how in the year 2003 women are still fighting for the right to control what happens to their own bodies.
Christina Hayes

A really informative programme. I was inspired to see the brave women making a stand for the lives of women in Poland. I am always disturbed by how many people seem to be adamant about the rights of the "unborn child", yet seem to be oblivious to the rights of women to choose, and the rights of women who have been left with no choices.

At the end of the programme my biggest concern was for the life of the woman on her journey to an illegal abortion. When will apparent human rights activists be aware of the rights of all humans? A great programme. Thank you.
Paula Coles

This idea with a ship was very stupid. People in The Netherlands think that just by provocation you can change things Joanna

I noted that the "project" was spearheaded by women who seemed militant but yet they claimed to be doing a humanitarian duty. That lead doctor, she spoke with passion about how she needs to do this, almost in tears. I would like to remind her of those dying of Aids all around the world, clearly they could do with her compassion and if the passion she has for terminating life is the same for saving it then probably the big multinational drug companies would listen and make Aids drugs easily available.

Clearly the majority of the Poles in the film did not want them on their soil, but I guess the West knows what is best for other cultures.
Alex Bwebale, London

It was extremely interesting to watch your programme on the Dutch abortion ship. I'm Polish but for last three years I've been living in the Netherlands and it so happened that I was visiting my family in Poland when the ship docked. I was still in secondary school when the whole discussion about banning abortion in Poland started and I still remember heated discussions we had then.

I think abortion should be allowed but I also think that this idea with a ship was very stupid. People in The Netherlands think that just by provocation you can change things but it is not true in Poland. Not on such a church connected matter as abortion. Social democrats in Poland for years are trying to change the law but the only way to do it is by keeping things as quiet as possible.

If I didn't know better after seeing your programme I'd think that only priests, old people and radical MP's are against abortion but that's just not true. We still are to big extent Catholic and very conservative at it. The Dutch take pride in their modern attitude, most of Poles take pride in the opposite.

I liked your programme very much and I hope not too many Poles will have the occasion to see it. See Polish news made a point of convincing general public that nothing happened on this ship and I guess it should stay this way.
Joanna

Unfortunately this is all true. There are many people in my country who believe that banning something would solve all the problems. I will never understand it. I am male but if my girlfriend got pregnant I do not think that I would ask her to do the abortion, I just do not think this is the method (one has to be responsible for what he/she does), but on the other hand I want it to be legal in Poland. I want people to have a choice. If our society is so Catholic then presumably people wouldn't do it, would they? And if the society is not so Catholic as some people would like it to be, then why do we have so cruel medieval laws? This should be a question of your conscience not of the law. The way it is now is absolutely mad, but this is how most of the stuff in Poland works (or actually how it doesn't work).
Karol

Why didn't the interviewer ask the abortionist about respecting the laws of Poland. The programme came across with a biased view in their favour and as though Poland was seen has the bad guy.
Brian

A most interesting programme, and one which only reiterates to me how fortunate I am to live in the UK Karen

It was extremely interesting to see your programme tonight. I'm Polish but living in the UK. I was so embarrassed by the Polish attitudes and backwards mentality. Women have the right to make their own decision about their uteruses. At the end of the day it is the woman who has to carry on her own shoulders all complications and fears. The politicians were provincial idiots and it doesn't surprise me that Poland is so poor with politicians like that.
Monika

I don't understand the logic in comparing having an abortion with cutting your toenails or a visit to the dentist for an extraction. The slow desensitisation of these issues to prime us up for further "justified" atrocities is extremely distressing, especially as the BBC now shows dead bodies in the streets of Iraq blatantly, whereas at least there was in the past some restraint for the children who may be viewing. We are all going to pay for this big style.
Jane

A most interesting programme, and one which only reiterates to me how fortunate I am to live in the UK.
Karen

Thank you for the programme showing the wonderful work that this doctor is doing to help Polish women whose choice in how to live their own lives is severely restricted by the Catholic church's interference in Polish politics.
Dr Nigel Mykura

I have mixed feelings about abortion but feel that the programme made the "pill" abortion seem a very simple painless way to terminate a pregnancy. My girlfriend had an abortion at a private clinic in the UK using the abortion pill. The experience was far from painless or easy and feel that the programme could easily give people the wrong idea about what is involved in having a chemical abortion.
Rob

I think that the abortion ship was wrong. I think the woman in charge of that is a murderer Lana

I wish to congratulate the Dutch doctor concerned in this abortion ship. She is doing a wonderful job in giving women the freedom of choice. As an ex RC I believe the RC church is as backward as the extreme Muslims. If I had the power I would put the Dutch government in charge of the world as a world government. The human species is much too prolific. I would save a lion, elephant or tiger before I saved a human.
Terry Monaghan

I think that the abortion ship was wrong. I think the woman in charge of that is a murderer. How the hell can you give women drugs to kill a little life - that baby has a right to live. If you take away peoples lives that is just like someone coming into your families house and killing your mum or dad or some other member of your family. I really can't believe that some women can take a life.
Lana

This is the first programme I've ever felt truly compelled to comment on. Dr Gompert is a truly magnificent woman and an example to all. I think that what she is trying to do, helping women to gain some control over their own lives and bodies was truly inspiring. I am now considering doing as much I can myself in a similar way to help women everywhere. The clear sexism towards women, and limits on control women have over their own lives is still so commonplace. Seeing such wonderful women taking direct action in an intriguing and non too bias programme was just wonderful, intriguing television. I'm not too eloquent on this, but..well...I was impressed.
Rebecca Machin

I watched this programme with interest and thought it was interesting that Poland, a country so short of money and so obviously devoid of quality of life should be so against abortion. The protesters who spent their time venting with hate-filled bile on the docks should perhaps consider what would happen if they opened support centres that would help women who decided against abortion instead of hurling abuse at them. These idiots were blissfully unaware of the circumstances and the emotions these women were experiencing. I believe the UK has a good model for abortion. Every women has the right to it but there is support there for those who wish to see out their pregnancy. This is just yet another case of the Roman Catholic religion doing nothing to enrich peoples lives but plenty to restrict them.; Good programme.
William McClymont

I found it quite amazing that it seemed to be only men who were protesting against the ship. it just goes to show how narrow minded many males are. Amelia

I'm Irish, living in the Netherlands, and think that what is being done by these far thinking doctors is fantastic. My only problem is that they didn't get to perform their work in Ireland when they visited there a few years ago. They provide women with the opportunity to make their own minds up and a chance to turn the clock back and not ruin the remainder of their life.
Claython Pender

I found it quite amazing that it seemed to be only men who were protesting against the ship. it just goes to show how narrow minded many males are.
Amelia

Respect to the people standing up for the right for women to choose what to do with our bodies! Hope their work goes on and education spreads! Don't let people like those politicians, who are obviously narrow minded and uneducated and only in it for the publicity, stop you. Total respect.
Tine Kongsgaard

It is unbelievable that women in Poland still have to run the gauntlet to obtain a resolution to a terrible problem that they have found themselves in. Yes they should be more careful, yes they should think before they act, but you cannot hold them as hostage to their own circumstance. The dark ages are over.
Neil, UK