Brussels, 23/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - In his “Point of view” published on Monday 21 September, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg appealed for people with mental disabilities not to be deprived of their fundamental rights. He pointed out the importance of full respect of the UN Convention on rights for people with disabilities. He also: - called for policies that ensure these citizens have full legal rights and “access to support”;- recommends that this support be legally enshrined and covered by guarantees in order to prevent abuse of trust; - underlines that any restriction of the individual's rights should be adapted to their requirements, justified and in keeping with standards on human rights; - immediately calls on member states to grant people with mental health problems or learning disabilities the right to vote and put themselves forward in elections.
“Point of View” is published monthly in English, French and Russian and is available on Commissioner Hammarberg's website: http://www.commissioner.coe.int (G.B./transl.rh)