Victims with disabilities face almost insurmountable barriers blocking their access to criminal justice in Europe. They are denied their right to be heard, to tell their story, to give evidence, to seek effective remedies, to understand their rights and the proceedings: “…throughout the whole pre-trial phase the victim was neither… Read More
The justice system and its symbols are scary. In most places, courts are not about justice, they are about power. For anyone, facing these symbols of power is disabling. Start with thinking about de-focusing the power; the focus should be on justice. It is really about the humanisation of the… Read More
On 22 November, the European Court of Human Rights issued a judgment in G.M. and others v. the Republic of Moldova, a case represented by a Moldovan lawyer Violeta Gaşiţoi, which Validity supported as an amicus curiae. The Court found… Read More
The justice system is confusing and intimidating for many victims of crime, but victims with disabilities face almost insurmountable barriers. Research conducted by the Voices for Justice project in 7 EU countries, and brought together in the ‘Humanising Justice’ report published in 2022, found… Read More
In September, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Slovakia for failing to protect the life of a 17-year-old girl with an intellectual disability who almost died in police custody. The victim described being verbally and physically abused by the police while being taken to the… Read More
A message from Amita Dhanda, Professor Emerita and Head of the Centre for Disability Studies and the Centre for Legal Philosophy and Justice Education, NALSAR University of Law. This message is shared with Amita’s permission. One of the perennial gifts of the CRPD negotiations were the friendships I made with… Read More
Validity and ENIL will be hosting a three-day hybrid conference in Brussels from June 20 to 22 to focus attention on the experiences of people with disabilities in justice systems across Europe and the need for a more humane approach to justice which respects the dignity of all adults… Read More