ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the philosophical and historical roots of the ethical principle of justice. It defines the concept of human rights and describes briefly the link between health and human rights. The chapter notes selected human rights documents useful in the consideration of justice issues related to the health of incarcerated women. It briefly reviews the ethical and legal principle of justice, the conceptual frame for human rights. Both philosophical and historical support for human rights as a fundamental value was outlined and the interaction between human rights and health was noted. These values of justice and rights for all humans are foundational to the content of the book. The values and ethical principles that form the bases of human rights are in documents developed by the UN and various professional associations. The documents identify women as a vulnerable population and address human rights issues such as their reproductive rights.