CAGE BEDS: Report finds widespread abuse in Accession Countries

4.50.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Jun 2003

Liz addresses a press conference on the "shocking" report.

A report published today calls on future members of the European Union to respect their commitments under international law and prohibit the use of cage beds for people with mental health problems and intellectual disabilities.

The report, drawn up by the Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC), establishes that the use of cage beds in psychiatric institutions and social care homes in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Hungary represents "inhuman and degrading treatment" and therefore violates international human rights standards.

Liz Lynne MEP, who today launched the report in the European Parliament, is the author if a draft report on the promotion of a UN Convention for the Rights of Disabled People which calls for tougher international action to safeguard human rights:

"In the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003, it is shocking to learn that some disabled people are regularly restrained in a locked cage bed. This appalling practice, which is by no means restricted to the "

"four countries surveyed, is completely unjustifiable according to international human rights law."

"The purpose of a new UN Convention would be to clearly establish that such cases of blatant human rights abuse against disabled people is not acceptable in the eyes of the international community. Such a Convention must incorporate effective monitoring mechanisms that can highlight such gross human rights violations and provide a firm legal base for organisations such as the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre to apply pressure on countries."

"But the EU must get its own house in order as well, which is why we need a comprehensive and legally enforceable Disability Directive to ensure that disabled people are guaranteed fair and equal treatment free from prejudice across Europe."

Related Links:

Mental Disability Advocacy Center.

Cage Beds Report.