CHAPTER 3: INTEGRATING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: INNOVATIONS AND EMERGING GOOD PRACTICES Jordan: Involvement in review of the national status law The Jordan National Centre for Human Rights was involved in a comprehensive review of that country’s status law (dealing with marriage, family, etc.). The Centre was able to promote a rights-based analysis of a number of key issues. It also lobbied strongly for the new law to include an explicit prohibition on child marriage, with an exception made in the case of pregnant girls. That recommendation was accepted and the revised law is currently being considered for adoption. Afghanistan and Timor Leste: Supporting legislation to deal with violence against women In Afghanistan, violence against women is a major obstacle to effective realization of reproductive rights. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has accordingly prioritized this issue. In 2008, the Commission worked closely with the government in drafting a new law on violence against women. The law has been finalized and is now in force. A new department, dealing with violence against women, has been established in the Office of the Attorney -General and is now operating in several provinces. In Timor Leste, the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice was involved in the development of legislation relating to domestic violence, an issue with direct implications for a range of reproductive rights in that country. The Philippines: Advisory opinion on law restricting access to birth control The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines has recently provided the national government with a written advisory opinion on the legality of a local government ordinance restricting access to birth control. Prior to drafting the opinion, the Chair of the Commission held a dialogue with relevant non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders. The advisory opinion evaluated the ordinance in light of the obligations of the Republic of the Philippines under international human rights law – most particularly the CEDAW Convention. It found that the law breached those obligations. The Commission has further called for a public inquiry into this issue. Timor Leste and Republic of Korea: Involvement in national discussions on abortion law The Provedor for Human Rights and Justice of Timor Leste was involved in national discussions regarding the criminalization of abortion, where together with other civil society members and the Government, it undertook a concerted effort to bring the provisions of the draft criminal code in line with the CEDAW. The Human Rights Commission of Korea has recently received complaints from some human rights groups related to the current abortion law. As part of its investigation into these complaints the Commission will convene community discussions on the current situation and options for legal and policy reform. The Commission considers itself well situated to moderate these sensitive discussions, which must, by necessity, involve all stakeholders. 25