LAOS-ABORTION-TBs-CCPR

Concluding Observations on Report 1 (2018) (Link)

Maternal mortality, voluntary termination of pregnancy and reproductive health

21. While noting the decrease in maternal mortality and the efforts made to improve prenatal and obstetric postnatal care, the Committee remains concerned that maternal mortality remains high. It is also concerned about the criminalization, under article 92 of the Penal Code, of abortion, except in cases when there is a risk to the life of the woman, and at the reported prevalence of unsafe abortions, which put women’s lives and health at risk and contribute to maternal mortality. The Committee is also concerned about reports of high rates of teenage pregnancy and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and information for this age group (arts. 3, 6, 7, 17 and 26).

22. The State party should:

(a) Redouble its efforts to effectively reduce maternal mortality, including that due to unsafe abortions;

(b) Amend its legislation with a view to ensuring effective access to safe, legal abortion when the life or health of the pregnant woman or girl is at risk, or where carrying a pregnancy to term would cause the woman or girl substantial pain or suffering, most notably when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or when it is not viable, and ensure that criminal sanctions are not applied to women and girls who undergo abortions or to medical service providers assisting them in doing so;

(c) Strengthen and increase the number of education programmes about sexual and reproductive health among women, men and adolescents, and ensure that women and teenage girls have access to appropriate sexual and reproductive health services throughout the country, including appropriate and affordable contraception.

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