WHEREAS
The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1950) states that “the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status” (art. 14) and that “1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life… 2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others” (art. 8)
NOTING THAT
A judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (1 April 2010, Application no. 57813/00, non definitive) has recently clarified the correct interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as far as it concerns art. 8 and 14. In fact, the Court has stated that “once the decision has been taken to allow artificial procreation and notwithstanding the wide margin of appreciation afforded to the Contracting States, the legal framework devised for this purpose must be shaped in a coherent manner which allows the different legitimate interests involved to be taken into account adequately and in accordance with the obligations deriving from the Convention” (par. 74);
the European Parliament resolution of 21 February 2008 on the demographic future of Europe, art. 26, “calls on the Member States, therefore, to ensure the right of couples to universal access to infertility treatment”,
CONSIDERING ALL OF THE ABOVE
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED CALL ON THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO ENSURE THAT:
Access to infertility and sterility treatment is considered a fundamental human right in accordance with article 14 and article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and of the European Parliament resolution on the demographic future of Europe;
National legislations are made consistent with such fundamental human right;
The cited resolution is intended as respectful of the principle of non-discrimination Discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
The principle of non-discrimination is extended to singles, so that they can have equal access to infertility treatment .
