Colombia
Decision C-344/2006, (May 10, 2006)
Bogota, D. C.
Keywords: Reproductive Rights
Brief Summary: On May 10, 2006 the Constitutional Court issued a historic decision. The majority of the Court (5-3) ruled that abortion should not be considered a crime under three circumstances: when the life or health (physical and mental) of the woman is in danger; when pregnancy is a result of rape or incest; or when grave fetal malformations make life outside the uterus unviable. This case was the first to challenge Colombia's abortion law using international human rights arguments. The Colombian Constitution explicitly states that international human rights treaties ratified by Congress take precedence over national laws and serve as a guide in interpreting the rights established in the Constitution.
CEDAW:
Source: Women's Link Worldwide