LEBANON-ABORTION-TBs-CCPR

Concluding Observations on Report 3 (2018) (Link)

Voluntary termination of pregnancy and reproductive health

25. The Committee is concerned that articles 539 to 546 of the Criminal Code criminalize abortion, except in the event of grave danger to the life of the woman. While noting the State party’s assertion that judges may authorize abortion, on a case-by-case basis, the Committee is concerned about reports of women resorting to unsafe abortions, which put their lives and health at risk. The Committee is also concerned about the requirement of the approval of two medical specialists in addition to the consulting doctor or surgeon who might refuse to perform abortions for reason of conscience (arts. 3, 6, 7, 17 and 26).

26. The State party should amend its legislation with a view to ensuring effective access to safe, legal abortion when the life or health of a pregnant woman or girl is endangered and when 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. The State party should ensure that women and girls who have recourse to abortion and the doctors who attend to them are not subject to criminal penalties, and lift barriers, such as those related to multiple medical authorizations and conscientious objection, since the existence of such penalties and barriers compel women and girls to resort to unsafe abortions, which put their lives and health at risk. The State party should, furthermore, implement educational policies to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health among women, men and adolescents and ensure access to appropriate and affordable contraception and reproductive health services.

---

Concluding Observations on Report 2 (1997) (Link)

[no mention]

---

Concluding Observations on Report 1 (1983) (Link)

[no mention]

---