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International Instruments for Protection and Promotion of the rights of Mentally Disabled Persons.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948 provides human rights standards which served as a basis in the formulation of standards that would benefit persons with disabilities including those suffer from mental illness. Article 7 of this Declaration guarantees equality before the law and equal protection by the law for ALL people, including against discrimination. In addition, the first section of Article 25 specifically mentions the socio-economic rights of people with disabilities: the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age. Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons This declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1975 exhaustively enumerates specific guidelines and standards which expressly recognize the rights to be enjoyed by all persons with disabilities. The term "disability" is clearly defined in this declaration to identify the scope of its implementation. The Declaration includes a number of social and economic rights as well as civil and political rights. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities This Convention which is the first human rights treaty to be adopted in the new Millennium fortifies the defense against human right violations of disabled persons for requiring parties to the Convention to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of their (disabled parsons) human rights and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law. The Convention serves as the major catalyst in the global movement from viewing these persons as objects of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing them as full and equal members of society, with human rights. Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons This declaration emphasizes the necessity of assisting mentally retarded persons in the development of their abilities in various fields of activities and in the promotion of their integration as far as possible in normal life. As it states;"The mentally retarded person has, to the maximum degree of feasibility, the same rights as other human beings." It proclaims principles and standards to be used as a common basis and frame of reference for the protection of the rights stated therein. Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illnesses and the Improvement of Mental Health Care This is another document adopted by the UN General Assembly to set detailed standards to secure persons with mental illness. It highlights right of all persons to a qualitative mental health care available and that persons who are mentally ill shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person. Individuals with mental disabilities also have the right to protection from economic, sexual and other forms of exploitation, physical or other abuse and degrading treatment. It is again reiterated in this document that no discrimination on the grounds of mental illness shall be upheld and that persons with a mental illness shall have the right to exercise all civil, political. In case a person lacks legal capacity due to his or her mental illness any decisions related to the well-being of this person shall be made only after a

fair hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal established by domestic law.

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