UN and Civil Society Warn the Council of Europe

Both the United Nations and civil society organizations have issued Open letters to the Council of Europe regarding the controversial draft text on regulations of coercion in psychiatry. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities strongly recommends the withdrawal of the draft Additional Protocol, emphasizing the need for voluntary, rights-based mental healthcare. International human rights standards prohibit forced institutionalization and coercion in mental health services, highlighting the importance of respect for autonomy and personal choice. Civil society organizations and users of mental health services oppose the draft Additional Protocol, advocating for a rights-based approach that respects the will and preferences of individuals.

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