From C-FAM
January 2009
The committee in charge of overseeing state compliance with
the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW) concluded its latest round of meetings, pressing eight delegations
under review on their abortion policies even though the treaty is silent on the
subject, calling only for a right to health. Dominica, Armenia, Haiti, Cameroon, Libya, Rwanda, Germany and
Guatemala were each questioned on abortion.
Previously CEDAW has criticized Slovakia for protecting the
right of health care workers who object to performing abortions as a matter of
conscience.
BUT when CEDAW members pressed Rwanda to hold public debates on its abortion laws and
asked if there were any plans related to abortion for girls, the Rwandan
representative fired back, "Maybe we are caring more for those who are living
now than about planning to kill babies-to-come."
CEDAW also asked Cameroon to account for how they have implemented CEDAW´s
previous recommendations to "review the abortion law and increase access to, and
availability of, contraception." In its written response, the government of
Cameroon chastised the committee for attempting to "elevate" abortion to the
rank of a human right.
