On 10 September the European Committee on Social Rights declared FAFCE’s collective complaint against Sweden in favour of conscientious objection for medical staff admissible.
In March 2013 the FAFCE filed a collective complaint against the Swedish Government, on the grounds of lack of respect for articles 11 (right to protection of health) and E (Non-Discrimination) of the European Social Charter. The FAFCE stated that Sweden lacks respect both for the fundamental freedom of conscience laid down by the European Convention on Human Rights and for the democratic proceedings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
In its decision the Committe states that it “considers that family policies and rights of the family cover motherhood, procreation and the development of human life.”
The Swedish Government is invited to make written submissions on the merits of the complaint by 7 November 2013
