Issue of interest

Human rights mechanism

Treaty bodies

UPR cycles

Country

JORDAN-ABORTION-TBs-CCPR

Country: Jordan

Issue: Abortion

Human rights mechanism: Treaty bodies

Treaty body: Human Rights Committee - International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Concluding Observations on Report 5 (2017) (Link)

Voluntary termination of pregnancy

20. The Committee notes that abortion is criminalized (Penal Code, as amended in 2011, arts. 321–325), except when the life or health of the pregnant woman is at risk (Law on public health (2008), art. 12). The Committee is concerned that no other exceptions are allowed, which results in unsafe abortions. It is also concerned that the Penal Code provides that the protection of the honour of the family is considered as a cause for leniency in cases of abortion being performed, even if the woman does not consent. The Committee is further concerned about reports of women who were prosecuted under the abortion provisions of the Penal Code (arts. 3, 6–7, 17 and 26).

21. The State party should amend its legislation to guarantee safe, legal and effective access to abortion where carrying a pregnancy to term would cause the pregnant woman or girl substantial pain or suffering, most notably where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or is non-viable. In addition, the State party may not regulate pregnancy or abortion in all other cases in a manner that runs contrary to its duty to ensure that women and girls do not have to undergo unsafe abortions, and it should revise its abortion laws accordingly. It should not apply criminal sanctions against women and girls undergoing abortion or against medical service providers assisting them in doing so, since taking such measures compel women and girls to resort to unsafe abortion. The State party should ensure the availability of medical facilities and guaranteed access to those facilities for legal abortion and ensure that women and girls are not prompted by legal obstacles, including criminal provisions, to resort to unsafe abortions that put their lives and health at risk. It should also ensure that abortion is performed only with the voluntary consent of the woman and criminally punish any attempt to coerce a woman into having an abortion. The State party should also ensure access to contraceptives and implement educational and awareness-raising programmes focusing on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Concluding Observations on Report 4 (2010) (Link)

[no mention]

Concluding Observations on Report 3 (1994) (Link)

[no mention]

Concluding Observations on Report 2 (1991) (Link)

[no mention]

Concluding Observations on Report 1 (1978) (Link)

[no mention]

This content was last updated in December 2022