Disability Rights

Disability Rights

Globally, many of the world's one billion individuals with disabilities struggle for access to education and employment, for the right to live in the community instead of being locked up in institutions, to express their sexuality and have children, and to participate in political and social life. Individuals with physical and mental disabilities often face increased violence and discrimination, yet they remain invisible in their communities. Download the complete brochure.

At Heavenly Ministries Spiritual Revival and Healing Center, some people with presumed mental disabilities lived in buildings with cubicles for each resident and were chained to walls. They could not leave the cubicles without permission of the staff at the prayer camp.

© 2011 Shantha Rau Barriga/Human Rights Watch

Involuntary Treatment: The Invisible Health Care Crisis

In his new report, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez, the UN’s leading expert on torture, has drawn attention to severe abuses, such as neglect, mental and physical abuse and sexual violence, against people with mental or intellectual disabilities in health-care settings.

Croatia: No Let Up on Rights Abuses

Jun 28, 2013
China: Submission by Human Rights Watch to the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council

May 18, 2013
China: Revise Disability Regulations for Education

May 18, 2013
China: End Arbitrary Detention in Mental Health Institutions

May 3, 2013

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Reports

“Like a Death Sentence”

Abuses against Persons with Mental Disabilities in Ghana
"I Want to be a Citizen Just like Any Other"

Barriers to Political Participation for People with Disabilities in Peru
Futures Stolen

Barriers to Education for Children with Disabilities in Nepal

Disability Rights

Letter to Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović

Jun 28, 2013

Croatia’s accession to the EU includes assuming the obligation to respect the principles of human dignity, democracy, and human rights as enshrined in the EU Treaty and further outlined in the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights. The government should use the formal accession as an opportunity to further strengthen the protection of human rights in several areas of concern and implement necessary measures to improve legislation and practices.
Croatia: No Let Up on Rights Abuses

Jun 28, 2013

Croatia’s European Union (EU) accession on July 1 is an opportunity for the government to show its commitment to safeguard human rights and to properly address outstanding abuses in the country, Human Rights Watch said today in an open letter to the Croatian prime minister, Zoran Milanović.
China: Submission by Human Rights Watch to the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council

May 18, 2013
China: Revise Disability Regulations for Education

May 18, 2013
China: End Arbitrary Detention in Mental Health Institutions

May 3, 2013

As China’s first ever Mental Health Law came into force on May 1, 2013, Human Rights Watch said the law has major shortcomings including that it does not eliminate the country’s system of involuntary confinement.
Statement before the CRPD Committee on the Day of General Discussion on Women and Girls with Disabilities

Apr 17, 2013
Protect rights of women, girls with disabilities

Apr 16, 2013
Statement at the opening session of the CRPD Committee

Apr 15, 2013
Submission to Online Consultation on Disability and Development

Apr 5, 2013
Letter to United Nations Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities on Upcoming Review of Australia

Apr 3, 2013

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