Abortion cannot be a 'human right' because it infringes on the right to life

When medical groups and organizations prioritize ideology over true human rights, society suffers. 

In recent years, professional organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) have positioned themselves as unconditional advocates for elective abortion.

The FIGO has gone a step further, stating that “access to safe abortion is a human right and a critical component of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.”

Key Takeaways:

• The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics recently claimed that "access to safe abortion is a human right."

• Abortion is not among the human rights listed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, authored by the UN after WWII in 1948.

• Abortion cannot be considered a "human right" because it infringes on another human being's right to life, the most basic human right of all.

The Details:

In addition to calling abortion a human right, a recent pre-FIGO Congress workshop held on October 4, 2025, specifically focused on "Safe abortion in all trimesters.” This was co-hosted by the World Health Organization. 

A basic human right is a fundamental entitlement inherent to all individuals, universally recognized and protected, regardless of their background or status. These rights are considered inalienable and essential for human dignity, freedom, and well-being.

The concept of human rights gained significant international recognition after World War II, particularly in response to the atrocities of the Holocaust. This led to the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Universally accepted basic human rights include...

• the right to life and liberty

• the right of freedom of opinion and expression

• the right to education

• the right to own property

• the right to water and nutrition

• the right to not be enslaved or tortured

• the right to religious or moral convictions

The decision to terminate a pregnancy is not listed in the UDHR. 

Is the right to terminate a life in-utero a human right? At what cost does this 'right' come?

Reality Check:

The act of terminating a pregnancy undeniably involves the end of a developing life, a process that many believe is the elimination of a heartbeat. To classify abortion as a 'human right' overlooks the significance of that heartbeat, the very symbol and physical sign of life.

Ironically, one of the most basic human rights is the right to life. Denying the life in utero through abortion is a direct infringement on this fundamental right.

The assertion that access to abortion is a 'human right' stems more from ideological beliefs than from a genuine commitment to ethical standards and the definition of a basic human right.

The choice for abortion does not fit the UDHR description of a basic human right. The proposal that abortion is a human right establishes a precedent where the value of life is weighed against personal convenience.

It begs the question: Can we genuinely uphold the sanctity of human rights if it leads to the denial of life for the most vulnerable among us?

The Bottom Line:

True human rights should encompass the protection of all human beings, including those who have yet to be born. Society has a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.