Ombudswoman to ask for lift on in vitro fertilization ban

The Ombudsman’s Office will ask the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to order Costa Rica to lift its ban on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to adopt legislation regulating the procedure.

The office will present its position during a trial set to start on Sept. 5 against the Costa Rican government for banning the practice 12 years ago, after a ruling from the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Ombudswoman Ofelia Taitelbaum said a court ruling on the Costa Rican case will be issued later this year.

In 2010, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights ruled that Costa Rica’s ban on IVF violates Articles 11.2, 17.2 and 24 of the Human Rights Convention and recommended the country to create consistent rules for granting access to the procedure.