National Constitutions and Human Rights Issues in Africa

Essential Medicines in National Constitutions

A constitutional guarantee of access to essential medicines has been identified as an important indicator of government commitment to the progressive realization of the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The objective of this study was to evaluate provisions on access to essential medicines in national constitutions, to identify comprehensive examples of constitutional text on ...

Promoting Justice and Reconciliation in Africa Challenges for Human Rights and Development ‘constitutions as a Vehicle for Reconciliation’

Global Survey of National Constitutions

General Comment No. 22, issued in 2016 by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), clarifies states’ legal duties to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Our study analyzes domestic constitutions around the world to investigate whether and to what extent the right to sexual and reproductive health is respected, protected, and ful...

The Endurance of National Constitutions

Access to essential medicines in national constitutions.

Access to essential medicines is well founded in international law as part of the right to the highest attainable standard of health (" the right to health "). The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted in 1966 calls for States Parties to take steps to ensure access to medical services for all. General Comment 14, added in the year 2000, applies the principles of...