Category: Press Release
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PRESS RELEASE: UN finds Hungary responsible for “grave and systematic violations” of disability rights, condemns mass institutionalisation funded by the EU
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…
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Covid-19: Urgent application before French Conseil d’Etat on rights to life and freedom of persons with disabilities
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,…
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Mass school segregation in Flanders breaches rights of children with mental disabilities, says top European social rights body
The European Committee of Social Rights has ruled that the systematic denial of inclusive education to tens of thousands of children with disabilities in Flanders breaches their fundamental rights. Merel Coen from Ruiselede, Belgium, was denied enrolment at her local school due to her disability. Photo: Family. In a decision on a complaint under the…
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Topház: Validity acted lawfully during its visit of the institution, confirms the Hungarian data protection authority
The Hungarian Data Protection Authority has found that Validity did not breach data protection and privacy rules when it visited the Topház social care institution and published its report exposing ill-treatment and neglect against residents of the institution. (Click here for Hungarian.) The Topház Special Home is a State-run residential institution for children and adults…
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Hungarian government must suspend and redesign deinstitutionalisation projects
NGOs are demanding the suspension and redesign of deinstitutionalisation projects managed by the Hungarian government with funding from the European Commission. According to the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), the Validity Foundation (formerly MDAC) and the European Network on Independent Living, the scheme to ‘deinstitutionalise’ 29 large institutions breaches national and international laws. The projects,…
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Zambia High Court Calls for Review of Mental Health Law
Lusaka Zambia – On 17 November, Zambian disability activists from the Mental Health Users Network of Zambia (MHUNZA) and Disability Rights Watch (DRW) held a press conference on the outcome of decision of the Zambian High Court concerning the constitutionality of the 1949 Mental Disorders Act. In a Petition brought by three people with psychosocial disabilities, and…
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Uganda: People with Psychosocial Disabilities Demand, “End the Abuse!”
Joint statement by the Pan African Network of People with Psychosocial Disabilities (PANSUP), Mental Health Uganda and the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre (now Validity). Last week Validity (formerly MDAC) was in Uganda and produced this 5-minute video, which is being shown in Geneva today to members of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Validity…