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Psychiatric Disability and Human Rights A Global Perspective David Webb (davidwebbo@gmail)

Explore the social model of psychiatric disability and its implications for human rights. Learn about the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Australian adherence to Standard Rules, and consumer/survivor organizations with a human rights focus.

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Psychiatric Disability and Human Rights A Global Perspective David Webb (davidwebbo@gmail)

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  1. Psychiatric Disability and Human Rights A Global Perspective David Webb (davidwebbo@gmail.com) Presented at Perspectives Peer Support and Innovative Practices in Recovery Annual Conference of Australian Mental Health Consumer Network (AMHCN) Melbourne, October 3-4 2006

  2. Psychiatric/Psychosocial Disability • a social model of disability • as opposed to medical model of illness • disability defined as functional limitations • something you experience, not something you have • that arises through interaction with environment • environmental factors: physical, social, attitudinal • human rights a core issue • especially self-determination

  3. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • final text of Convention completed in August 2006 • expected to be adopted by UN General Assembly in December – becomes international law • countries then ratify (sign on) to Convention • legally binding undertaking to implement the Convention in domestic law Key ideas: • prohibits any discrimination on the basis of disability (there goes our Mental Health Act) • person’s capacity to refuse treatment to be based on legal not mental capacity

  4. UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities • not a convention so not international law • but strong moral obligation for countries who sign on to them, which Australia has • especially relevant for genuine consumer participation in policy development, service delivery, workforce education etc etc • emphasises government obligation to ensure strong representative consumer organisation Current Australian adherence to Standard Rules (esp in psych disability) is very poor

  5. Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities • not a Bill of Rights • takes effect Jan 1 2007, full effect Jan 1 2008 • 2007: all Victorian legislation to be reviewed • recognition of international human rights laws • emphasis on civil and political rights (rather than social, economic and cultural rights) • such as those denied us under Mental Health Act Victorian government should include UN Convention in its human rights review of all disability legislation

  6. Some International Consumer/Survivor Organisations with Human Rights Focus World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry www.wnusp.org MindFreedom Support Coalition International www.mindfreedom.org National Empowerment Centre: www.power2u.org peoplewho: www.peoplewho.org Lunatics Liberation Front: www.walnet.org/llf Also … insane australia … where Batty is beautiful … www.battyisbeautiful.com

  7. World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry 1991 –World Federation of Psychiatric Users (WFPU) 1997 – renamed to WNUSP 2001 – 1st General Assembly (Vancouver) 2004 – 2nd General Assembly (Denmark) • joint congress with European network (www.enusp.org) • 200+ delegates from 50+ countries 2005/6 – formation of Pan-African PANUSP 2008 – 3rd General Assembly (Africa/India?) Four regions, two elected Board members from each: Europe, Americas, Africa and Middle-East, and Asia-Pacific Asia-Pacific: Chris Hansen (NZ), Mari Yamamoto (Japan) [Deputies: Bhargavi Davar (India), David Webb (Australia)]

  8. World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry Major projects/activities: UN Convention • WNUSP is UN accredited NGO at the Convention negotiations • delegation led by Tina Minkowitz, a US psych survivor, human rights lawyer, and one of three Co-Chairs of WNUSP • Tina has played a leading role in shaping Convention World Health Organisation (WHO) • WNUSP representative/advisor to WHO Disability and Rehabilitation (DAR) project to produce a World Report on Disability and Rehabilitation by 2009 • a ‘tense’ relationship with Mental Health division of WHO International Disability Alliance (IDA) … etc etc

  9. Contacts WNUSP:www.wnusp.org MindFreedom: www.mindfreedom.org N.E.C: www.power2u.org peoplewho: www.peoplewho.org LLF: www.walnet.org/llf membership@wnusp.org davidwebbo@gmail.com

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