By N. Awwad, G. Haile, S. Listenberg, A.S.C. Tegus, A. Verhoeve & A. El Yaakoubi
Despite the international and domestic legal commitments, the human rights of individuals in psychiatric care are being neglected and breached, particularly in private institutions. The landmark case of Ximenes-Lopes v. Brazil (2006) established the legal obligation of states to regulate and oversee mental health facilities, but persistent violations again announced themselves in the Aurora Borealis scandal in the Netherlands (2022). In addition to a discussion of the failures of state oversight, this article addresses the role of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the major imperatives for stricter enforcement mechanisms. Without real actions directed to altering status quo, human rights violations in mental health will remain a significant humanitarian concern. Read the blog!