Declaration of Casablanca for the universal abolition of surrogacy

By Maria Lucia Ercole On Aug 27, 2024

On March 3, 2023, in Casablanca, Morocco, the Casablanca Declaration was presented to the public

This declaration, signed by 100 experts from 75 different nationalities, calls on states to commit to the universal abolition of surrogacy.

The Casablanca Declaration originated from a group of experts, primarily lawyers, doctors, and psychologists, who work as researchers and practitioners in their respective fields. These professionals have been studying surrogacy (GPA) and its impact on individuals and society for a long time.

They have reached a mutual consensus that the global dimension of surrogacy requires an international response, and that a multinational convention is the only effective approach to ultimately abolish surrogacy.

Pope Francis, during the annual audience to the Diplomatic Corps called surrogate motherhood a “despicable” practice, that should be universally banned for its “commercialization” of pregnancy, including the practice among wars, terrorism and other threats to peace and humanity: ”.. I deem deplorable the practice of so-called surrogate motherhood, which represents a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs. A child is always a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract. Consequently, I express my hope for an effort by the international community to prohibit this practice universally.”

An International Conference for the Universal Abolition of surrogacy was held in Rome on 5 and 6 April, gathering specialists from 5 continents to share their expertises with a dual objective:

To inform public decision-makers about the harmful effects of surrogacy
To provide a legal toolbox for States wishing to defend their populations against this market.

The Rome International Conference aims to be a decisive step in supporting and encouraging national and international initiatives, leading to the adoption of an international treaty.

The Casablanca Declaration was also at the United Nations, in Geneva, on 18th June 2024, for an event on the sidelines of the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, to promote the Universal Abolition of Surrogacy. The meeting was moderated by Gabriella Gambino, Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

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Photo by Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash

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