Abortion legislation and the right to life: resolving the predicament and fundamental human rights values

Abstract

Abortion legislation in South Africa takes a casual and very indifferent approach to human life. This is a direct violation of international standards upon which South African legislation is based. The fundamental purpose of law is to preserve and better human life, in an effort to prevent the recurrence of various ills and crimes that society has witnessed. The urgency in the protection of humanity comes from the knowledge of the ability of humanity to self-destruct and the ultimate desire to maintain global peace. Abortion legislation is divorced from the original purpose of law to preserve and protect human life in all its developmental stages.