Legal program
Working with local lawyers, NGOs and key stakeholders to:
1. file applications in domestic and international courts
2. raise awareness of people's rights
3. advise governments by commenting on draft legislation
4. provide web-based materials to local lawyers, judges and activists, such as summaries of mental disability cases decided by the European Court of Human Rights, and the texts of relevant international legal instruments
MDAC will remain open to providing technical and financial assistance to lawyers and NGOs in other countries if the case raises exceptional potential for law reform. For more information about the legal defense program, contact Oliver Lewis, Legal Director, oliver@mdac.info
Research and Monitoring Program
Our work addresses inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by focusing on the issue of cage beds. Research in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia reveals that this abusive practice still exists. MDAC's report will be launched on 17 June 2003 in Brussels. For more information about the report, contact streadwell@mdac.info. For information about the launch of the report contact clark@mdac.info
MDAC's work in the area of Liberty / Detention is focused on the report on Hungary - Liberty Denied. MDAC will launch it in September 2003. The report constitutes an analysis of Hungary's compliance with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights, namely whether substantive and procedural guarantees are provided to people in Hungary in the area of psychiatric detention. Based on the field observations, testimonies and court observations, the Report reveals that the judicial system ineffectively respects people's human rights in detention cases. MDAC has observed over 40 court cases in which courts violated international human rights standards.
MDAC is addressing the issue of Guardianship by fundraising for a major 3-year project to analyse guardianship provisions and practice in several countries across Europe. The project is supported by the Council of Europe. For more information, see the Guardianship Project page.
Advocacy Program
The situation of human rights abuses of people with mental disability is mostly unknown. MDAC was established to take the role and advocate for the human rights of people with mental disability from the region at the international level. Working with NGOs, professionals, governments and the media, the MDAC Advocacy Program gathers information on human rights abuses and elevates local issues into international concerns through:
· Shadow reports to intergovernmental bodies, such as UN Human Rights Committee , UN Committee Against Torture, European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights - Mr. Alvaro Gil-Robles
· Press Releases, Position Papers and Letters of Concern
· Other publications such as the MDAC Quarterly Bulletin
For information on advocacy, contact MDAC, mdac@mdac.info
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