DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-ABORTION-TBs-CCPR

Concluding Observations on Report 6 (2017) (Link)

Voluntary termination of pregnancy and reproductive rights

15. While it notes the State party’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality, the Committee is concerned about the complete ban on voluntary terminations of pregnancy — the violation of which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, including where the life or health of the pregnant woman or girl is in danger, where carrying the pregnancy to term could cause the pregnant woman or girl substantial harm or suffering, especially in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or when it is non-viable, as well as in other circumstances — and the fact that the ban leads to a large number of unsafe abortions and high maternal mortality. The Committee is further concerned at the continuingly high rates of child and teenage pregnancy, owing to, inter alia, the lack of reproductive health services and to inappropriate and insufficient information. It is also concerned at reports of the forced sterilization of persons with disabilities (arts. 2, 3, 6, 7, 17 and 26).

16. The State party should amend its legislation to guarantee safe, legal and effective access to voluntary termination of pregnancy where the life or health of the pregnant woman or girl is in danger or where carrying the pregnancy to term could cause the pregnant woman or girl substantial harm or suffering, especially in cases where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or when it is non-viable. Furthermore, the State party may not regulate any pregnancy or abortion in a manner that runs contrary to its obligation to ensure that women and girls need not resort to unsafe abortions; it will have to amend its legislation accordingly. The State party should not impose criminal sanctions on women and girls who undergo an abortion or on medical service providers who provide abortion assistance, as such measures force women and girls to resort to unsafe abortions. Furthermore, it should ensure unimpeded access to sexual and reproductive health services and education for men, women and adolescents nationwide. It should also ensure that all procedures to obtain the full and informed consent of persons with disabilities are followed with regard to sterilization. For this purpose, the State party should offer special training to health personnel to better acquaint them with these consent procedures and with the harmful effects and consequences of forced sterilization.

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Concluding Observations on Report 5 (2012) (Link)

15. The Committee expresses its concern at the general criminalization of abortion, which obliges pregnant women to seek clandestine abortion services that endanger their lives and health. The Committee is also concerned at the persistently high indices of adolescent pregnancy and maternal mortality, despite the State party’s prevention efforts (arts. 6 and 17).

The Committee recommends that the State party should review its legislation on abortion and make provision for exceptions to the general prohibition of abortion for therapeutic reasons and in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest. The State party should ensure that reproductive health services are accessible for all women and adolescents. Furthermore, the State party should increase education and awareness- raising programmes, both formal (at schools and colleges) and informal (in the mass media), on the importance of using contraceptives and the right to reproductive health.

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Concluding Observations on Report 4 (2001) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 3 (1993) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 2 (1990) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 1 (1985) (Link)

391. One member asked for additional information about population growth rates and infant mortality rates and whether or not abortion was legalized.

408. … Abortions were prohibited by law, but the Government was pursuing a policy of reducing the population growth rate.

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