Tag: My Home My Choice

UN Human Rights Committee condemns Bulgaria for seriously violating the rights to life, freedom from torture and ill-treatment, and respect for inherent dignity

in Bulgaria, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Uncategorised

On 15 March 2023, the Human Rights Committee, the United Nations body that monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its States parties, issued a decision, so-called views, in communication No. 3171/2018 and condemned Bulgaria for violating the Covenant. The communication was drafted by lawyers of the Bulgarian Network…
New Film: I am the director of my own ‘institution’ | Validity Seasonal Appeal 2022

in Hungary, I’m A Person, My Home, My Choice, Uncategorised

We are delighted to announce the release of this new film, featuring Validity client István Cservenka as part of Validity’s 2022 seasonal appeal – full film below. Forced to endure decades of institutionalisation simply for having a disability in Hungary, the team at Validity have been proud to support István’s journey to independence following over…
Uganda: High Court orders Government to ensure community services for children with autism

in My Home, My Choice, Press Release, Uganda, Uncategorised

The High Court in Uganda has found the Government in violation of the human rights of children with disabilities in a case related to a child with autism. In a landmark judgment, Justice Winifred Nabisinde found that failure by the Government to provide rehabilitation and habilitation services to the child amounted to a violation of…
Commission Fails to Stop Romania and Estonia from Segregating Citizens with Disabilities

in Article, My Home, My Choice, Romania

In 2019, the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL and the Validity Foundation submitted two separate complaints against the Managing Authorities in Romania and Estonia, for using European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) to build new institutions for persons with disabilities. After almost a year, the European Commission responded to both complaints, finding…
NGOs Take European Commission to Court for Funding Segregation of Disabled Persons in Bulgaria

in Uncategorised

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 General Court in Luxembourg, challenges the Decision…
Statement on abuse uncovered in another Hungarian disability institution

in Hungary, My Home, My Choice

Validity expresses our deepest concern about the ill-treatment of residents of an institution for persons with disabilities in Mozsgó, which was recently reported by the Hungarian Commissioner for Fundamental Rights. The Commissioner investigated following a complaint from the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ), a national human rights NGO. According to the report, the complaint filed against the…
Czech Constitutional Court confirms the right of people with disabilities to accessible and adequate social services

in Article, My Home, My Choice

Yesterday, the Czech Constitutional Court ruled in favour of David Vratislav, a 24-year-old young man suing the local authorities for failing to provide him with the social services he needed. The court said that every person, including people with high support needs, has the right to receive adequate social services respecting their dignity. David Vratislav…
Zambia High Court Calls for Review of Mental Health Law

in My Home, My Choice, Press Release, Zambia

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…
Zambia Must Close Abusive Institutions, says UN Expert

in Article, My Home, My Choice, Zambia

Ms. Catalina Devandas, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Disabilities has welcomed greater respect for the rights of people with disabilities in Zambia since 2010, but says the country must go further and abolish abusive practices against people with mental disabilities. In her report to the UN Human Rights Committee, Ms. Devandas expressed concern that the…