2008.09.03
The NHRCK held a discussion forum on September 3, 2008 on “Human Rights of the Mentally Disabled” in order to discuss human rights issues related to the mentally disabled.
The mentally disabled in Korea are vulnerable to extensive discrimination and human rights violations such as involuntary or unnecessary long-term hospitalization. Rather than integrating those who have mental disabilities into our society with treatment, Korea is creating an environment that isolates those who have mental disabilities.
To protect the mentally disabled from stigma, discrimination and exclusion and to prevent the human rights violation and discrimination, a policy should be enacted which provides better treatment for them through improvement of mental health services and the legal system. Therefore, the discussion will be considered in the ‘The National Report on the Protection and Promotion of the Mentally Disabled’ which is to be completed in June 2009, to investigate systematic and overarching human rights situations to enhance the protection and promotion of the rights of the mentally disabled.
The discussion focused on specific examples and experiences of discrimination of and prejudice towards the mentally disabled. Six professionals also discussed involuntary and long-term hospitalization of the mentally disabled and the necessity of protection by the local community.
