Summary:

In his report to the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Mr Anand Grover, highlights that the right to sexual and reproductive health is an essential component of the right to health.

http://www.ishr.ch/general-assembly/1196-special-rapporteur-on-the-right-to-health-links-decriminalisation-of-abortion-to-the-right-to-health

http://www.crin.org/docs/N1144358.pdf

In his annual report (attached above) to the Third Committee of the General Assembly, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Mr Anand Grover, focused on the interaction between criminal laws and other legal restrictions relating to sexual and reproductive health and the right to health.

The report highlights that the right to sexual and reproductive health is an essential component of the right to health, and that States must ensure this aspect is implemented  for the right to health to be fully realised.

The Special Rapporteur outlines fourteen recommendations for a right to health approach, including encouraging States to:

• Decriminalise abortion
• Decriminalise the use and supply of all forms of contraception
• Remove barriers for spousal and/or parent consent
• Ensure access to information and education on sexual and reproductive health. 

States response to the report

Given that the report included the controversial topic of abortion, the General Assembly’s response to the report and the Special Rapporteur’s oral presentation was surprisingly positive.

The majority of States who spoke during the dialogue welcomed the report’s contribution to the implementation of the right to health. However, supportive speakers were mainly from Western/Nordic States (the EU, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, US, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, South Africa), while  Egypt, Swaziland, Chile reacted more negatively.

Further Information

• Read more about the discussions
• Visit the webpage of the Special Rapporteur

Previous UN report items

• 27/10/2011: UN: Preventing intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders a priority
• 21/10/2011: OPT: UN Expert urges Israel to adopt guidelines for the protection of Palestinian children
• 12/10/2011: Committe on the Rights of the Child submits annual report to the UN General Assembly
• 11/10/2011: CHILDREN AND ARMED CONFLICT: UN Expert submits annual report to General Assembly
• 04/10/2011: UN: Human Rights Council releases 18th Session report

Organisation Contact Details:

International Service for Human Rights
Rue de Varembé 1, P.O. Box 16, CH-
1211 Geneva
Tel: + 41 22 733 51 23
Email: gtc@ishr-sidh.ch
Website: www.ishr.ch

Last updated 14/11/2011 07:49:28

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