The right to decide about one's reproduction is one of the fundamentd human rights stemming from the right to hedth, privacy and fanily planning. Part and parcel of that right is dso the right to a legd and safe termination of pregnancy, the practicd a/álability of which is ahistoricdly verifled prevention of maternd morbidity and mortdity. That has dso been repeatedly declared at internationd conferences under the auspices of the UNO and WHO. The article presents areview of the current accessibility to that right and of some worldwide trends, and summarizes the present statě of legislation in the Czech Republic.

        Key words: abortion - laws.