In the decades since the United Nations human rights system was established, human rights bodies have
increasingly addressed issues that are important for women’s and men’s reproductive health. Though most
human rights conventions (also known as treaties, covenants and pacts) do not directly mention unwanted
pregnancy or abortion, the rights contained in these agreements are linked to reproductive health and rights,
including abortion., Experts appointed by member nations of the UN to monitor State compliance – known
variously as Treaty Monitoring Committees, Special Procedures, Special Rapporteurs, and Commissioners – have a mandate to provide guidance to States Parties on the conventions should be interpreted, to guide States
on how to respect, protect and fulfill human rights. Documents issued by these human rights authorities give
guidance to States Parties on how human rights – which are indivisible and interrelated – apply to areas such as
reproductive health, including unwanted pregnancy and abortion