EN
The aim of this article is to present various aspects of the human embryo's legal status in international law. Firstly it gives description of philosophical and ethical 'person' concepts, and points out the biologic criteria of life's commencement, thus setting the starting point for legal discussion. Then it examines texts of major international conventions in order to reveal the universal standard of the right to life. Finally, it moves to the regional European standard and demonstrates the European Court of Human Rights approach to the interpretation of the international law norms.