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Treaty Interpretation Of The Right To Life Before Birth By Latin American And Caribbean States: An Analysis Of International Treaty Obligations, Regional Agreements And Relevant State Practice, Ligia M. De Jesus

Ligia M. De Jesus

Even though non-judicial international human rights bodies routinely promote the understanding that the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the American Convention on Human Rights mandate the legalization of abortion, states parties have authoritatively interpreted their treaty obligations otherwise. This article examines, in particular, evidence of Latin American and Caribbean states’ interpretation of these treaties as recognizing and protecting the unborn child’s right to life and health in a comprehensive manner, as well as evidence of their rejection of abortion rights in international fora. Section II discusses international treaties ratified by Latin American and Caribbean states that explicitly …