European Committee of Social Rights, Decision on the merits, 10 September 2013, International Planned Parenthood Federation-European Network (IPPF-EN) v. Italy (Complaint No. 87/2012) (Publicity: 10 March 2014)

The European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe declared that Article 9 of law No. 194/1978 – on the right of conscientious objection of medical staff in cases of voluntary interruption of pregnancy – violates the articles on the right to protection of health (Article 11) and non-discrimination (Part V – Article E) of the European Social Charter (Revised). Although the high number of objectors does not proves itself the lack of effectiveness of the law, women face obstacles to access to abortion as in health facilities is not ensured presence of personnel not objector for the realization of terminations pregnancy.