News

Serbia: Abuse of Children with Disabilities

Friday, August 15, 2008

On 17 July 2008, as a result of the public exposure triggered by Mental Disability Rights International’s (MDRI) widely-publicized report, “Torment not Treatment: Serbia’s Segregation and Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities,” the United Nations’ (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) issued a recommendation to the Serbian government to end practices of “torture or ill-treatment” and to provide “full compensation and rehabilitation” for victims of such abuse. The CRC expressed concern about children subject to “severe long-term restraint and seclusion” and agreed with MDRI’s report that such practices “could amount to ill-treatment or even torture.”

The CRC expressed concern about large numbers of children with disabilities who remain in Serbia's institutions. The Committee, which monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, reviewed MDRI's report and video footage, and asked for our assessment of Serbia's progress in implementing human rights protections outlined under the Convention. To download the full report, please click here.
 

Source: Disabled People's International E-Update

Events & Publications

Newsletters of the European Network on Independent Living

The European Network on Independent Living has published the Third Issue of its new monthly Newsletter. The August issue includes an article on Slovenia, where some Members of the Parliament have spent a day working as personal assistants of people with disabilities, in order to get a better understanding of what personal assistance means to disabled people.

Key Developments in Mental Disability Advocacy and De-institutionalisation in Latvia

The Resource Centre for People with Mental Disability "Zelda", Latvia has published the first issue of their Newsletter. The new publication aims to provide information on mental disability advocacy in Latvia and is available in Latvian and English on Zelda's website.

Last chance to register for the ECCL Seminar 2008

Event Date: Friday, September 12, 2008

The 2008 Annual Seminar of the European Coalition for Community Living - Living in Independently and Being Included - will discuss strategies for implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with a focus on Article 19. The Seminar is hosted by ULOBA - Cooperative on Personal Assistance. It takes place in Oslo (Drammen) between 12 - 13 September 2008. The deadline for registration has been extended until 20 August 2008.