UN Human Rights Council adopts new resolution on mental health
The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a new resolution on mental health and human rights, led by Portugal and Brazil and cosponsored by 61 countries, with more countries still joining. The resolution highlights that
persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities, in particular persons using mental health services, may be subject to, inter alia, widespread discrimination, stigma, prejudice, violence, social exclusion and segregation, unlawful or arbitrary institutionalization, over-medicalization and treatment practices that fail to respect their autonomy, will and preferences…” and
the need for States to take active steps to fully integrate a human rights perspective into mental health and community services, particularly with a view to eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination within that context, and to promote the right of everyone to full inclusion and effective participation in society…”
This resolution provides additional impetus to address human rights in mental health and also signals a commitment by countries to achieve this.
The resolution:
- Reaffirms the obligation of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to ensure that policies and services related to mental health comply with international human rights norms;
- Recognizes the need for States to take active steps to fully integrate a human rights perspective into mental health and community services, particularly with a view to eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination within that context, and to promote the right of everyone to full inclusion and effective participation in society;
- Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on the integration of a human rights perspective in mental health and the realization of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial disabilities, including persons using mental health and community services, and to submit the report to the Human Rights Council at its 34th session.
The UN Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations and is made up of 47 United Nations member states which are elected by the UN General Assembly.
The Human Rights Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights and for addressing situations of human rights violations.