Council of Europe calls for deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities
[STRASBOURG, 4 February 2010] - The Committee of Ministers has adopted a <http://www.crin.org/Law/instrument.asp?InstID=1444> text recommending that Member States no longer place children with disabilities in institutional care and instead give preference to community living. There are many concerns about the compatibility of institutional care with the exercise of children's rights. Barring exceptional circumstances, no children should be placed in institutional care. Moreover, institutional provision should be replaced with community-based services within a reasonable timeframe as part of a comprehensive approach. The Committee of Ministers acknowledges that Member States are at very different stages in this area and that deinstitutionalisation is an on-going, long-term process. The text therefore underlines the importance of safeguarding the rights of children with disabilities and vulnerable young adults in institutional care throughout the transition process. Mechanisms should be established to involve children with disabilities and their families in the process of service development, as they are vital stakeholders. The Council of Europe has been active for several years now in defending children's rights and helping to eradicate violence against all children, including children with disabilities. It has adopted a ten-year plan for 2006 to 2015 aimed at bringing about a major change in perceptions of people with disabilities and in practices relating to them. A key aspect is protecting and promoting the rights and dignity of children with disabilities. In addition, one strand of the Building a Europe for and with Children programme is protecting children against violence. Several million children and adults with disabilities live in long-term care institutions in the 47 Council of Europe member states. Further information * <http://www.crin.org/Law/instrument.asp?InstID=1444> Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)2 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on deinstitutionalisation and community living of children with disabilities * <http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=19928&flag=report> See Me, Hear Me - A guide to using the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to promote the rights of children (Save the Children UK and Sweden on behalf of the Alliance, May 2009) * <http://www.crin.org/Law/instrument.asp?InstID=1048> UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities * <http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=17355&flag=report#la> Introduction: Landmark treaty on the rights of persons with disabilities enters into force * <http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=17355&flag=report> Special CRINMAIL on the rights of children with disabilities (May 2008) * <http://www.crin.org/quiz/index.asp?quizID=1099> Quiz on the rights of children with disabilities * <http://www.crin.org/RM/coe.asp> More on child rights and the Council of Europe * <http://www.crin.org/discrimination/> Visit CRIN's website on children and discrimination For more information, contact: Council of Europe Building a Europe for and with children DG III- Social Cohesion / Council of Europe B Building - Office B137, F - 67075 Strasbourg Cedex Tel: +33 3 88 41 22 62; Fax: +33 3 90 21 52 85 Email: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Website: <http://www.coe.int/children> www.coe.int/children Visit: <http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=21715> http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=21715 ---------------------------- Vali "Noble blood is an accident of fortune; noble actions are the chief mark of greatness." "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Aboneaza-te la <mailto:[email protected]> ngo_list: o alternativa moderata (un pic) la [ngolist] Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?
