Murillo et al v. Costa Rica: Inter-American Court of Human Rights holds Costa’s Rica’s prohibition on In-Vitro fertilization amounts to a human rights violation

Murillo et al v. Costa Rica: Inter-American Court of Human Rights holds Costa’s Rica’s prohibition on In-Vitro fertilization amounts to a human rights violation

In this case the applicants alleged that Costa Rica’s complete prohibition on in vitro fertilization (IVF) contravened the American Convention on Human Rights giving rise to violations of their rights to privacy and family life.

On 21 December 2012, the Inter-American Court upheld the applicants claim and requested Costa Rica to take measures to address the situation including overturning the prohibition within a six month period.

In its important decision the Court held that the prohibition contravened the applicants’ rights to privacy, liberty, personal integrity, and to form a family as protected by the American Convention on Human Rights.

The court also considered the prohibition undermined enjoyment of the right to be free from discrimination.

The ICJ filed an Amicus brief in the case in September 2012.

In its brief the ICJ focused on the legal principles and doctrine that should be applied by the Court when considering the case.

Specifically the ICJ addressed the criteria that should be taken into account by the Court when considering whether Costa Rica’s complete ban on IVF amounted to a permissible limitation on the applicant’s human rights.

 

Costa Rica-ICJ Amicus Fertilization in vitro-legal submission-2012 (full text in PDF)

Costa Rica-Amicus ICJ-fecundacion in vitro-legal submission-2012-spa (full text in PDF)

Thailand: justice needs of women must be answered

Thailand: justice needs of women must be answered

In a new report released today, the ICJ and Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) call for a series of changes in law, practice, approach and behaviour to address the justice needs of women across Thailand.

Roundtable discussion on women’s access to justice in Thailand

Roundtable discussion on women’s access to justice in Thailand

The ICJ and Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) held a multi-stakeholder roundtable dialogue on women’s access to justice in Bangkok, Thailand on 19 and 20 March 2012.

The event marked an important stage in the ongoing ICJ-JPF initiative on women’s access to justice in Thailand.

It convened a group of experts from accross Thailand to discuss and review a draft ICJ-JPF report on the obstacles to justice women continue to face in Thailand.

Participants included women human rights defenders, lawyers, representatives of NGOs and academic experts.

When released the ICJ-JPF will capture and explore the accounts of barriers received from stakeholders accross Thailand through extensive field research accross the country during 2011.

It will identify a series of responsive recommendations endorsed by roundtable participants.

 

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