WARSAW, (Reuters) – Thousands of protestors gathered Saturday in Poland to oppose strict abortion laws following the death of a pregnant lady. This rekindled public discussion in Europe about this issue.

In January, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal ruled that abortions on grounds of foetal defects were incompatible with the Constitution. This triggered widespread protests and a ban almost total on terminations of pregnancy.

According to organizers, hundreds marched with candles in hand and banners that said ‘not another’ and “indifference, complicity” through many cities and towns on Saturday.

The ruling is said to have caused the death of Izabela (a 30-year old woman who died from septic shock in her 22nd week).

According to her family, Izabela visited Pszczyna hospital after her water broke in September. A scan had shown that the foetus was suffering from numerous health problems. However, doctors were unable to stop the pregnancy because the foetus was still having a heartbeat.

A scan of the foetus revealed it was dead. Doctors performed a Caesarean. Jolanta Budzowska was the lawyer representing the family. She stated that Izabela’s heart stopped while on her way to the operating theater and she later died.

On banners, and information distributed by protest organizers, slogans read: “Her heart beat too.”

“…Polish woman are being killed under the Polish anti-abortion legislation. “It is cruel, and it is frightening,” said a Pszczyna woman who was at a demonstration. The comment was broadcast by TVN24.

It is unacceptable and it will lead to the death of Polish women,” she said.

Onet.pl published a Saturday interview with the husband of another wife who claimed that he died under similar circumstances in June.

According to the government, Izabela died because of a court decision. It was an error made by doctors. Adam Niedzielski, Poland’s Health Minister, promised to publish guidelines that would clarify when terminations are legal.

According to him, he asked RMF FM private radio to provide such guidelines. He stated that the National Consultant for Gynecology and Obetrics would issue them.

The president of Poland proposed that the law be amended last year in order to allow abortions for foetuses who are not viable. A group of citizens submitted a bill in September that would have banned abortion completely.

“…let’s finally alter the law that murders women and deprives family members of mothers, wives, and sisters,” Agnieszka Diemianowicz-Bak (a left-wing lawmaker) was quoted saying before protests were organized by PAP.