The Organic Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents (LOPNNA) provides a comprehensive framework for the rights of children and adolescents in Venezuela. Regarding sexual and reproductive health, Article 50 guarantees the right to receive information and education in sexual and reproductive health, promoting responsible motherhood and fatherhood.
In a case referred to the Court by the European Commission of Human Rights, the applicants complained of an injunction imposed by the Irish courts to perpetually restrain them from providing certain information to pregnant women concerning abortion facilities outside Ireland. The majority of the Court found the injunction to be over-broad and disproportionate to the aims pursued.
Pursuant to Article 177 of the European Economic Community treaty (“EEC treaty”), the High Court of Ireland requested a preliminary ruling on (i) whether abortion comes within the definition of “services” in Article 60 of the EEC treaty; (ii) whether a Member State can prohibit the dissemination of information about the identity, location, and means of communication with an abortion clinic in another Member State; and (iii) whether there is a right at Community law level to distribute such information.
