Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Despite existing international legislation adopted by the European Union countries, people with mental health problems are discriminated against, complains the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in two reports published on Thursday 7 June.
“Much still remains to be done to realise the rights of Europe's 80 million people with disabilities” (Ed: both mental and physical), deplores FRA Director Morten Kjaerum of Norway in a press release. He goes on to say: “The fundamental rights of people with disabilities are lagging behind legal guarantees, particularly as austerity measures begin to bite.” Both reports call for emphasis to be placed on reintegrating people suffering from disabilities into society rather than placing them in an institution. The FRA denounces the exclusion and stigmatisation of those suffering from mental illness. (LC/transl.jl)