EDF and many partners have been advocating for many years against the adoption of the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention by the Council of Europe. This proposal to regulate involuntary placement and treatment in psychiatry, originating from a 2004 Recommendation, is coming at its last stage of negotiation in the Committee of Bioethics of the Council of Europe.
On Tuesday 2nd of November, the Committee of Bioethics will vote on the decision to send the finalised text to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe for adoption. The Committee of Ministers, composed of representatives of its 47 Member States, will make the final decision to adopt or withdraw the text. It is the most important time of our campaign and involves all European countries. We call on members of the Council of Europe to vote against the adoption of the protocol and to instead introduce concrete measures to end coercion in mental healthcare and provide services that are human rights based and person-centred.
What can you do?
Continue to advocate in your country against the adoption of the draft additional protocol. At this stage, it is essential to be in contact with your Ministry on Health and Ministry in charge on disability rights and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. You can use our sample letter.
What is EDF doing?
Together with Mental Health Europe, we launched a joint campaign against the draft protocol. We work closely with other organisations of persons with disabilities, including organisations of survivors of psychiatry, another partners to raise the issue at international and European level. For instance, recently we contacted the Council of the European Union. We also monitor advocacy in European countries and can support your actions, for example by sending joint or supporting letters, attending meetings with your permanent representative to the Council of Europe, etc.
Contact
Marine Uldry, EDF Human Rights Officer (marine.uldry@edf-feph.org) for more information.