The International Right To Highest Attainable Standard Of Physical And Mental Health: Evaluating Obligations Of Lithuania In Cases Of Violence Against Women

Abstract

The paper explores the role of the international right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health in the development of the legal framework in Lithuania to address violence against women. The right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is entrenched under various international legal instruments. These have been ratified by Lithuania which, in 2011, also adopted a Law for the protection against domestic violence. Violence against women, including domestic violence, is undoubtedly a violation of the right to health; therefore the Lithuanian context provides an opportunity to evaluate the duties of the state in this regard more precisely. Indicators on human rights measurement have been instrumental in this evaluation.