The Position of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Abortion: Not Too Bad, Ugly, or Just Confusing?

Abstract

The chapter explores the position of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on abortion. First, it places abortion within the context of feminist thought and the current framework of international human rights law. Second, it examines relevant provisions of the main OIC human rights instruments, specifically the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam and the Covenant on the Rights of the Child in Islam. The third part provides an analytical overview of member states’ domestic legislation and policies on abortion and identifies possible explanatory variables, including political, religious, and sociohistorical factors, for the various legislative configurations. Fourth, the chapter contrasts the normative position of the OIC and the member states’ legislation to the stance adopted by the OIC in selected UN forums. The conclusion assesses the findings and inquires into what ways the OIC’s institutional voice on abortion could be shaped in the future.

Keywords: Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Abortion, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Human Rights, Islam