The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled today that Portugal violated human rights laws by preventing the Dutch 'Women on Waves' ship from entering the country in 2004. 
‘Women on Waves' attracted worldwide notoriety in 2004 when their ship, which circumvents domestic abortion laws by offering safe abortions whilst sailing in international waters, was blocked by two Portuguese war ships. At the time, Portugal had very restrictive abortion laws and ‘Women on Waves' were seeking to draw attention to this. The ship was banned from entering Portuguese territorial waters by a ministerial order, on the basis of maritime law and Portuguese health laws.
The Court unanimously decided that there was a breach of Article 10 and that in seeking to prevent disorder and protect health, the Portuguese authorities could have resorted to other means that were less restrictive of 'Women on Waves'' human rights. The decision is welcomed by 'Women on Waves'.
| 'Women on Waves' is a Dutch non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Dr Rebecca Gomperts. Its mission is to prevent unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortions throughout the world. 'Women on Waves' developed a mobile clinic which can be loaded onto a ship and so transported to locations all over the world. Their ship provides contraceptives, information, training, workshops, and safe and legal abortion services outside territorial waters in countries where abortion is illegal. In international waters (12 miles off the coast) local laws don't apply. For more information on 'Women on Waves' visit their website at www.womenonwaves.org. |
Tags: abortion, article 10, echr, freedom of expression, portugal, women on waves