hasan bermek office of the council of europe commissioner for human rights
Post on 31-Dec-2015
49 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Hasan Bermek
Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
www.commissioner.coe.int
Overview: Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
Independent, impartial, non-judicial institution established in 1999
Promotes awareness of and respect for human rights in the 47 member states
Elected for a non-renewable term of 6 years (Nils Muižnieks since April 2012)
Overview
Country monitoring
Thematic work
NHRSs and HRDs
Awareness Raising
Commissioner’s recent work on disability
Human Rights comment on the right to vote
Issue Paper on Legal CapacityIssue paper on Community Living
The right to be included in the community: why is it important?
affects the enjoyment of all other rights taken for granted by the majority, often
denied to persons with disabilities Segregation and isolated settings increase
the risk of stigmatisation, exploitation, violence and abuse
Still a long way to go for all member states
The core of the right
Neutralising the isolation and loss of control over one’s life, because of one’s support needs in an inaccessible society
Violated when:– support is only available outside the community
(or altogether withheld);– the burden is put on the person to ‘fit in’, when
services and structures are not designed for diversity.
Relevant human rights standards
Article 19 of the CRPD
European Convention on Human Rights (and the case-law of the Strasbourg court)– Stanev v. Bulgaria
Other Council of Europe standards
Commissioner’s Recommendations to member states (1/3)
Review legislation in the light of Article 19; Implement the right to legal capacity, if necessary
through supported decision-making; No new admissions into institutional settings; Develop a transition plan for phasing out institutions; Reallocate resources towards community-based
supports;
Commissioner’s Recommendations to member states (2/3)
Recognise that smaller settings (e.g. congregate care) can also be problematic;
Develop a plan for services to promote inclusion; Ensure that children are able to live a full life within
family and community; In providing services, maximise individual choice
(avoid bundled services).
Commissioner’s Recommendations to member states (3/3)
Enable purchasing of own support and housing; Review inclusiveness of general services; Ensure monitoring of institutions (until they
disappear) and of the quality of community support services;
Full involvement of persons with disabilities throughout the process.
Other examples of the Commissioner’s work
Right to vote for persons with disabilities:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJw-0lCVNCk
top related