http://consumersaustralia.org/info-resources/top-issues/endforcedtreatment/
Across
Australia, every day, people in mental health services are locked up
against our will, given powerful and potentially dangerous medications
by force, given electro-convulsive therapy (ECT, or shock therapy) that
can permanently erase our memories, and locked into seclusion rooms and
restraints.
These forced treatments are allowed through mental health legislation
in every state and territory. What many consumers may not realise is
that these acts, and their consequences, are contrary to international
human rights protected by the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Even though Australia seems to be not compliant with the CRPD, its
existence has given many of us hope that one day we can improve our
rights. This
report by the United Nations about Australia’s lack of compliance with the CRPD has been read and shared by many consumers:
33. The
Committee is further concerned that under Australian law a person can
be subjected to medical intervention against his or her will, if the
person is deemed to be incapable of making or communicating a decision
about treatment.
34. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal all legislation that authorizes medical intervention without the free and informed consent of the persons with disabilities concerned, committal
of individuals to detention in mental health facilities, or imposition
of compulsory treatment, either in institutions or in the community, by
means of Community Treatment Orders.
and
35. The
Committee is concerned that persons with disabilities, particularly
those with intellectual impairment or psychosocial disability, are
subjected to unregulated behaviour modification or restrictive practices
such as chemical, mechanical and physical restraints and seclusion, in
various environments, including schools, mental health facilities and
hospitals.
36. The
Committee recommends that the State party take immediate steps to end
such practices, including by establishing an independent national
preventive mechanism to monitor places of detention — such as mental
health facilities, special schools, hospitals, disability justice
centres and prisons —, in order to ensure that persons with
disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities, are not subjected to
intrusive medical interventions.
Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations. Concluding observations on the initial report of Australia, adopted by the Committee at its tenth session. 2-13 September 2013. Download here.
But now it seems that even the CRPD may be at risk of failing to
address our needs. This campaign aims to remind the United Nations that
the rights of people diagnosed with mental illness matter.
