1. The Committee of
Ministers is aware that the question of surrogacy, and the different
issues related thereto, is a complex and sensitive one, at the national,
European and international levels. It gives rise to a number of
questions in the framework of international human rights law, not
least with regard to transnational surrogacy, the protection of
the rights and best interests of the child and of the mother, and
concerns related to trafficking in human beings.
2. The Committee of Ministers has taken note with interest that
work on a comprehensive report has been mandated within the Assembly
on “Human rights and ethical issues related to surrogacy”. A hearing
with experts on the issue is scheduled to take place in September
2015 to be followed by a debate on the report in the Plenary at
the January 2016 part-session of the Assembly. The Committee of
Ministers will follow these discussions with interest.
3. The Committee of Ministers considers it would be appropriate
to await the debate on the report in question, and any possible
recommendations emerging therefrom, before considering possible
steps in response to the precise question put forward by the Honourable
Parliamentarian.
