A convicted sex offender says he is being denied a basic human right because he has not been allowed to access IVF treatment.
A
convicted sex offender says he is being denied a basic human right because he
has not been allowed to access IVF treatment. In the Australian-first case, a
Melbourne man and his partner are trying to overturn a review panel ruling. The
man, who was a teacher’s aide, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for having
sex with a 16-year-old student.

Under
Victorian law, sex offenders who seek IVF must present
their case to a review panel. The man, who was released from prison in January
2010, told ABC’s 7.30 Victoria it is unfair to deny him the chance to have
children. “Every person deserves the right to have a family,” he said. “People
make mistakes. It’s just very trying.” He says he is sorry for what he did.

The
couple’s lawyer, Bianca Moleta, says the review panel has interfered with her
client’s rights. “By virtue of the Charter of Human Rights the decision
reach by the panel is unlawful,” she said. “As they’re a public authority
they need to consider human rights and in the decision and they didn’t do
that.” She said the panel breached the human right to health and the right not
to be punished twice.

However,
Victorian Opposition health spokesman Gavin Jennings defended the review panel.
“Our community is saying if you do not satisfy the highest ethical standards –
and we have question marks about whether you would be a good parent because you
have a sexual conviction – we are not letting you have access to that program,”
he said. ~ ABC News, Jun 24;
Sydney Morning Herald, Jun 28

Sex offender to contest IVF ban
Jared Yee
Australia
IVF

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