Disability Rights During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Launch of the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor
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… Read More
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… Read More
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… Read More
Hungary: Validity expresses concern that European anti-torture committee wrongly supports transinstitutionalisation of persons with disabilities
Last week, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) released a report following its monitoring visit to the country during 2018. The body, which has the mandate to conduct rolling inspections of places of detention across the Council of Europe, visited Hungarian prisons, police… Read More
Hungary, Topház: Names of public guardians of persons with disabilities must be made available on request
Hungarian court orders the Guardianship Authority to disclose to Validity the names and addresses of the public guardians responsible for the 220 victims of torture and ill-treatment in Topház social care institution. More than 25,000 people with disabilities live in residential social care institutions in Hungary, most of them placed… Read More
‘Urgently close Topház’ – says the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
18 February 2020, Budapest. Last week the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC Committee) published its Concluding Observations for Hungary. CRC Committee, Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Hungary, (10 February 2020), para 30 In November 2018, the CRC Committee requested the… Read More
Kenya: Mental Health Advocates Call for Inclusive Process of Reform
People with psychosocial disabilities in Kenya have demanded a seat at the table in national consultations aimed at reforming the country’s outdated mental health legislation. Late last year, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the establishment of a ‘Mental Health Taskforce’ under the Ministry of Health to develop comprehensive proposals… Read More
Czechia: Validity and Forum for Human Rights call for abolition of “netted cage beds”
In December, Validity and Forum for Human Rights filed an international complaint against the use of netted cage beds in psychiatric hospitals in the Czech Republic. The case, which was filed at the European Committee of Social Rights, tackles the ongoing use of this practice which conflicts with international… Read More
Moldova: Doctor guilty of raping 18 women, compensation ordered
Eighteen women who were systematically sexually abused by their doctor at the Balti institution for a period of almost a decade in Moldova have finally achieved justice. Earlier this month, the Moldovan Supreme Court pronounced judgment in one of the most grievous cases of gender-based violence Validity has come across. Read More
NGOs Take European Commission to Court for Funding Segregation of Disabled Persons in Bulgaria
PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release (български) For the first time in history, three disability rights organisations have initiated Court proceedings against the European Commission for failing to halt EU infrastructure funding being used by Bulgaria to build institutions for persons with disabilities. Case T-613/19, pending before the EU… Read More
All children have the right to family – joint position statement
All children have the right to family life, yet children with disabilities are disproportionately deprived of this right. The reasons are multiple, including the lack of practical and financial support to families with children with disabilities, governments failing to invest in community-based services, and a strong push by professionals to… Read More