Conscientious Objection: Protecting Sexual And Reproductive Health Rights
A new study on conscientious objection produced by Paul Hunt, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health and Judith Bueno de Mesquita and Louise Finer from University of Essex.
Introduction
Healthcare providers’ conscientious objection to involvement in certain procedures is grounded in the right to freedom of religion, conscience and thought. However, such conscientious objection can have serious implications for the human rights of healthcare users, including their sexual and reproductive health rights. This briefing paper examines the implications of conscientious objection, by healthcare providers, for the protection of sexual and reproductive health rights. In many countries, debate on conscientious objection focuses to a great extent on national legal frameworks,
as well as medical ethics. This publication is designed to demonstrate the bearing of international human rights law on conscientious objection. It gives examples of how the issue has already been addressed in the context of international law and provides information and makes recommendations on the relationship between conscientious objection and sexual and reproductive health rights, as well as States’ obligations to uphold these rights.
Read full report here.