The Center for Reproductive Rights announced today that a Chilean woman has filed a case against the Chilean government before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.  Her complaint alleges that she was forcibly sterilized because she is HIV positive, a violation of her human rights.

The Center for Reproductive Rights’ Luisa Cabal says, ”Forced sterilization is a violation of a woman’s most basic human rights and is all too often committed against members of vulnerable groups, which deserve special protection, such as women living with HIV.  It’s time that the Chilean government respect the human rights of all its citizens and take concrete action to guarantee that a woman living with HIV receives quality reproductive health services and has the ability to make decisions about her own life.”

The New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights and the Chilean NGO VIVO POSITIVO have presented the claim on the behalf of F.S., who wished to remain anonymous.  VIVO POSITIVO had found numerous cases of forcible sterilization of HIV positive women, and hopes that the case will promote systemic change.  The Inter-American Commission monitors OAS state compliance with human rights agreements.