no violence period: New Perspectives on Abortion

 
Topics

A Consistent Life Ethic

· Nat Hentoff on Abortion
· Abortion and the American Left

Abortion and the Media

Roe v. Wade

 
Full list of articles


Abortion and International Law

The Right to Life and International Law






The United States and many other countries have explicit obligations to protect unborn life under several human rights treaties:



"The child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth."

U.N. Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
The United States is a signatory without reservation on the "legal protection before birth" clause.


"Every person has the right to have his life respected. This right shall be protected by law and, in general, from the moment of conception."

American Convention  on Human Rights (
1978)
The United states is a signatory without reservation on the "moment of conception" clause.  Its articles are enforceable through the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.


"Pregnancy cannot be said to pertain uniquely to the sphere of private life. Whenever a woman is pregnant her private life becomes closely connected with the developing fetus."

European Commission of Human Rights (1981), Application No. 6959/75

See also: Rights of the Unborn Child in International Law