At the occasion of the 46th session of the Human Rights Council and interactive dialogue with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the European Disability Forum sent a video message in relation to the draft additional protocol to the Council of Europe’s Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (“Oviedo Convention”).
The Council of Europe – an European intergovernmental organisation composed of 47 member states – is currently finalising a piece of legislation on involuntary treatment and placement in psychiatry that violates the rights of all persons experiencing mental health problems.
The disability movement is appalled that the text will be put for adoption this year. It goes against the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified by 46 of the 47 members of the Council of Europe. Despite opposition by the disability movement, human rights organisations and bodies within the Council of Europe- representatives of member states of the Council of Europe have continued to support this document. The protocol allows the involuntary treatment and placement of persons experiencing a mental health crisis following the decision of one medical professional. It also allows measures such as forced medication, isolation, restraint and electro convulsive therapy.
In 2021 we cannot accept this and urgently call on Member States to oppose the adoption of the additional protocol. We also call on human rights experts and organisations to support us in our campaign against the protocol.
- Open letter “Grave concerns about the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention and potential human rights violations by the Council of Europe” (30 November 2020)
- Open letter to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and Committee on Bioethics regarding the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention (15 September 2020)
- Compilation of statements opposing the draft protocol to the Oviedo Convention of the Council of Europe