Conscientious objection and the Council of Europe: The right to conscientious objection in lawful medical care. Resolution 1763 (2010). Resolution adopted by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.

摘要

The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly has adopted a resolution on conscientious objection in medicine, 'The Right to Conscientious Objection in Lawful Medical Care'. In general terms, this resolution ('the Resolution') affirms the place of conscientious objection in the medical context while inviting member states to provide appropriate regulation of the practice of conscientious objection. In particular, it provides the following: first, there is a recognition that 'no person, hospital or institution shall be coerced, held liable or discriminated against in any manner because of a refusal to perform, accommodate, assist or submit to an abortion, the performance of a human miscarriage, or euthanasia or any act which could cause the death of a human foetus or embryo, for any reason'. Secondly, the right of conscientious objection is affirmed together with the state's responsibility 'to ensure that patients are able to access lawful medical care in a timely manner'.