What was the compulsory sterilization law?

Compulsory sterilization removes a person’s capacity to reproduce, usually through surgical procedures. Several countries implemented sterilization programs in the early 20th century. Although such programs have been made illegal in most countries of the world, instances of forced or coerced sterilizations persist.

When did Sweden outlaw sterilization?

Compulsory sterilisation in Sweden were sterilisations which were carried out in Sweden, without a valid consent of the subject, during the years 1906–1975 on eugenic, medical and social grounds. Between 1972 and 2013, sterilisation was also a condition for gender reassignment surgery.

Which country was first to systematically enact compulsory sterilization?

Along with some of the states of the USA, Switzerland was of the first countries to pass a law for compulsory sterilization, in 1927. Even as late as the early 1950s, recidivist rapists were given a choice, either to be castrated and go free, or suffer life imprisonment.

Is involuntary sterilization still legal?

Forced sterilization remains legal today at the federal level in the U.S. because of a 1927 Supreme Court case known as Buck v. Some estimates say that at least 70,000 women were forcibly sterilized because of state laws and other sources list the number of victims between 100,000 and 150,000.

What countries have forced sterilization?

From the 1930s through the 1980s, Japan, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Iceland all enacted laws providing for the coerced or forced sterilization of mentally disabled persons, racial minorities, alcoholics, and people with specific illnesses [2].

Is forced sterilization a crime against humanity?

Enforced sterilization refers to forcibly sterilizing an ethnic group as part of a systematic attack against that ethnic group. It is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

What is the process of sterilization?

Sterilization describes a process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life and is carried out in health-care facilities by physical or chemical methods. Disinfection describes a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects (Tables 1 and 2).

What is compulsory birth control?

A contraceptive mandate is a government regulation or law that requires health insurers, or employers that provide their employees with health insurance, to cover some contraceptive costs in their health insurance plans.

Is forced sterilization constitutional?

U.S. Supreme Court State of Oklahoma, ex. rel. Williamson’, 316 U.S. 535 (1942), was the United States Supreme Court ruling that held that laws permitting the compulsory sterilization of criminals are unconstitutional if the sterilization law treats similar crimes differently.

Is forced sterilization legal in Canada?

Compulsory sterilization in Canada has a documented history in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. One notable difference is in the treatment of non-insane criminals; Canadian legislation never allowed for punitive sterilization of inmates.

How does forced sterilization happen?

Sterilization is defined as “a process or act that renders an individual incapable of sexual reproduction.”[1] Forced sterilization occurs when a person is sterilized after expressly refusing the procedure, without her knowledge or is not given an opportunity to provide consent.

When did forced sterilization become illegal?

From 2006 to 2010, “nearly 150 women were sterilized in California’s prisons without the state’s approval.” On the heels of press and pressure and advocated for by Ms. Dillon, SB 1135 “Anti-Sterilization Bill” was put into law banning unlawful and non-consensual sterilization of California prisoners in 2014.

When did sterilisation become compulsory in Sweden?

When, from January 1976, permission was no longer needed, the number of sterilisations grew considerably. Compulsory sterilisation in Sweden were sterilisations which were carried out in Sweden, without a valid consent of the subject, during the years 1906–1975 on eugenic, medical and social grounds.

Who was targeted for sterilization in the 20th century?

Throughout the 20th century, nearly 70,0000 people (overwhelmingly working-class women of color) were sterilized in over 30 states. Black women, Latina women, and Native American women were specifically targeted.

Which countries had sterilization laws during WW2?

By then, Germany, Denmark and Norway had similar laws. The law in Sweden was broadened in 1941 to include sterilization not only for reasons of mental incompetence, but for what was considered antisocial behavior. The new law dramatically increased the number of sterilizations.

Does coercive sterilization violate women’s rights to free from discrimination?

3 —courts found that the women’s rights had been violated. However, with respect to the specific claim that the coerced sterilization violated their right to be free from discrimination, both jurisdictions found either that there was no violation or that it was not necessary to separately examine the discrimination claim.