Conscientious Objection and Reproductive Rights: International Human Rights Standards

The Center for Reproductive Rights’ new publication Conscientious Objection and Reproductive Rights: International Human Rights Standards describes the rules of International Human Rights Law regarding conscientious objection. The toolkit analyzes the applicable human rights standards to this objection when exercised in the provision of health services. The publication consists of fact sheets which are divided into three sections that analyze different human rights standards from the point of view of the Universal, the Inter-American, and the European human rights systems. Each of these three sections examines the provisions related to the right to freedom of conscience, as well as the existing standards regarding conscientious objection to compulsory military service, and the standards that apply to conscientious objection to reproductive health services. In situations where the exercise of conscientious objection varies significantly with respect to the human rights of third parties – especially for women’s rights – the regulation of conscientious objection should also vary. The international instruments analyzed indicate that it is possible to set limits on conscientious objection, and that this may have a negative effect on the protection of the rights and freedom of others.