November 4- The National Human Rights Commission of Korea is launching the "National Report on the Protection of Human Rights of Persons with Mental Disabilities" in November 2009.
The NHRCK has conducted a comprehensive and systematic fact-finding investigation on human rights status of persons with mental disabilities, mental health service system and relevant laws and regulations as well as the living condition of the families of persons with mental disabilities. The report included case studies of the relevant practices of other countries. The "National Report on the Protection of Human Rights of Persons with Mental Disabilities" analyses problems and challenges under current legal framework of mental health service and suggests countermeasures and guidelines for mental health policies.
The National Report identifies core policy directions and key tasks as follows:
○ To establish adequate procedures for hospitalizing and discharging inpatients in mental facilities
○ To safeguard the rights of inpatients in mental health facilities and improve medical treatment environment
○ To provide community-based medical treatment
○ To eliminate discrimination and prejudice against persons with mental disabilities
The NHRCK is hosting forums on the launch of the “National Report on the Protection of Human Rights of Persons with Mental Disabilities” in Seoul (November 5), Gwangju (November 10), Busan (November 17) and Daegu (November 18). Among the participants will include persons with disabilities, medical practitioners and other stakeholders. They will share significance and details of the National Report and seek for the ways to move forward in the future.
