“Obstetric Violence and the European Court of Human Rights”, Dr Verónica García de Cortázar.

Chair: Dr Camilla Pickles

Title: “Obstetric Violence and the European Court of Human Rights”, Dr Verónica García de Cortázar.

Abstract: The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has yet to explicitly address obstetric violence and mistreatment, a phenomenon affecting millions of women worldwide. This work-in-progress seminar will explore how the ECtHR might respond to obstetric violence, drawing on elements of its existing case law and lessons from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the only regional human rights judicial body to have explicitly addressed the matter. I will examine the need to understand obstetric violence as having both interpersonal and structural dimensions, to identify the range of rights that may be violated, and to develop remedies for addressing individual violations and for preventing and responding to the phenomenon. I will present the argument as it currently stands and would very much welcome feedback.