Category: I’m A Person

‘I’m finally free!’: Moldovan courts quash guardianship order in favour of support

in Article, I’m A Person, Moldova, Uncategorised

Following almost a decade of legal action, Natalia Sitova, our client from Moldova, achieved victory at the Chisinau Court of Appeal, in a claim to regain her autonomy which was discriminatorily restricted on the basis of her disability. “Natalia has always considered herself as able to act on her own behalf. She can, directly,…
Launch of the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor Dashboard

in Article, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, I’m A Person, Kenya, Lithuania, Moldova, My Home, My Choice, Poland, Romania, Russia, Schools For All, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia

Since 20 April 2020, through a global survey, the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor (DRM) has been gathering data to conduct rapid independent monitoring of state measures concerning persons with disabilities in the context of the pandemic. Today, the initiative reaches a new milestone with the launch of the COVID-19 DRM Dashboard that allows the public…
Disability Rights During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Launch of the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor

in Article, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Campaigns, Czech Republic, Hungary, I’m A Person, Kenya, Lithuania, Moldova, My Home, My Choice, Poland, Romania, Russia, Schools For All, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia

Evidence is emerging that persons with disabilities are being disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and emergency measures being taken by governments worldwide. As governments rush to respond to the virus, it is more critical than ever to guarantee that measures taken are fully inclusive of persons with disabilities and prevent human rights violations from…
PRESS RELEASE: UN finds Hungary responsible for “grave and systematic violations” of disability rights, condemns mass institutionalisation funded by the EU

in Article, Campaigns, Content type, Countries, Hungary, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Press Release, Schools For All

The United Nations has today found Hungary responsible for “grave and systematic” violations of the human rights of persons with disabilities in the country. In a report released today, the UN found the country in flagrant breach of international law for placing people with disabilities in institutions, aided by the European Union which has provided…
Covid-19: Urgent application before French Conseil d’Etat on rights to life and freedom of persons with disabilities

in Article, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Press Release, Uncategorised

JOINT STATEMENT Collectif pour la Liberté d’Expression des Autistes and Validity are concerned about the French government’s decision to confine persons in medical and social care institutions that host persons with disabilities. Confronted by massive violations of fundamental rights, particularly the rights to freedom, protection from arbitrary detention and the rights to life and dignity,…
Statement in Solidarity with Zambian Activists Calling for Amendment of Mental Health Bill

in Article, Campaigns, Content type, Countries, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Press Release, Zambia

Mental health law reform in Zambia is desperately overdue. The outdated Mental Disorders Act [Chapter 305 of the Laws of Zambia] perpetuates discrimination, human rights violations, and abuses against persons with mental disabilities. It denies mental health care users the rights to live with dignity, make decisions about their care, and access community-based services. In…
European Disability Movement Demands Council of Europe #WithdrawOviedo on World Mental Health Day

in Article, Campaigns, Content type, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice

Validity has joined a coalition of European organisations for persons with disabilities to demand that the Council of Europe withdraws a dangerous proposal to legalise forced detention and treatment of people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in breach of international human rights law. A proposed treaty on “persons with mental disorders” which has been under…
Validity challenges Russia at European Court after Constitutional Court refuses to allow people with disabilities to visit their families

in Article, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Russia, Uncategorised

In a disappointing decision issued last week, the Russian Constitutional Court rejected the right of a woman in a social care institution to visit her father. The two had brought the case complaining that the social care institution where the daughter resides unconstitutionally prevented her from leaving the institution to visit her father at his…
Mental health law proposal in Uganda will breach human rights, says civil society coalition

in Article, Campaigns, Content type, Countries, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Uganda

A coalition of organisations have today called on Ugandan Members of Parliament to oppose a Government-sponsored Mental Health Bill which will breach the human rights of persons with mental disabilities in the country. A position statement issued by the coalition in advance of a critical debate in Parliament next Tuesday says that the law “does…
Hungary must end rights abuses against persons with disabilities and stop targeting NGOs, says UN human rights committee

in Article, Campaigns, Content type, Countries, Hungary, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Schools For All

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed concern about widespread human rights violations against persons with disabilities in Hungary. The Committee, which is the UN’s authoritative body overseeing global implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), noted that large number of persons with disabilities in Hungary continue to be institutionalised,…