MDAC takes action. We advance human rights of people with disabilities by responding to human rights abuses, seeking justice and influencing laws and policies.

We help individuals seek justice

MDAC has around 80 strategic cases before national and international courts. We have our share of successes. For example, in March 2008 the European Court of Human Rights found that Russia had violated Mr Pavel Shtukaturov's human rights. He was stripped of his legal capacity, detained incommunicado in a psychiatric hospital for seven months, and his lawyer - MDAC's legal monitor in Russia - was prevented from meeting him. This case, which sets important standards not just for Russia but for the wider Europe, was argued by MDAC: read more here [1]. In March 2009 the Russian Constitutional Court in the same case struck down three legal provisions which MDAC argued were unconstitutional: read more here [2]. 

We advance international law and policy

MDAC has worked at the international level to ensure that international law and policy is as favourable as possible for people with disabilities. We were involved in the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [3] and now advocate for its early ratification and implementation. We lobby extensively at the European policy level, are active at the Council of Europe, and regularly send information to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture before their monitoring visits.

We provide recommendations on law reform

Working with local organisations, we give advice to governments on how they should reform their laws and policies. For example with our partner organisations we are now liaising with governments, lawyers and the judiciary of various countries. Our joint aim is to achieve prompt reforms to guardianship legislation, procedures and practices. Click here to read our reports on guardianship. [4]

Having investigated the effectiveness of inspections of mental health and social care institutions in a number of countries, we are also working with our partners to ensure that governments in the region implement recommended legislative changes to ensure regular and effective inspections of institutions. Click here [5] to read our "Inspect!" report. 

We promote lay advocacy in closed institutions

The importance of non-legal (lay) advocacy is increasingly being recognised. With its partners MDAC has contributed to raising the profile of the need for such ‘lay’ advocacy services. We have assisted various advocacy services across the region, and produced a guidance manual ‘Advocacy Services for People with Mental Health Problems and Intellectual Disabilities: Guidance and Model Policies for such work’. This manual [6] is available in English, Hungarian and Russian.

We work with and empower peer-advocacy (user) organisations

We empower people and organisations by providing education about remedies to human rights abuses. In the Czech Republic, Hungary, and in Kyrgyzstan we work closely with NGOs who provide non-legal (lay) advocacy services in mental health and social care institutions. We have prepared a Client Support Manual in Czech, English, Estonian and Hungarian for lawyers and other advocates working with and for people with mental disabilities.

We educate

MDAC has produced valuable resources for human rights activists, lawyers and academics. One such resource is a summary of all relevant judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and our executive director has co-authored the book Mental Disability and the European Convention on Human Rights.

MDAC co-organises the Council of Europe’s annual study sessions for mental disability rights litigators at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. We help equip a new generation of lawyers with the attitudes, skills and knowledge to professionally support people with mental health and intellectual disabilities by teaching law and advocacy at various universities. Click here for MDAC resources. [7]

We investigate human rights violations

Our research and advocacy has contributed to a ban of cage beds in Hungary. It has also highlighted the issue at a regional and international level, so adding to pressure being put on government to cease the practice. Click here to read our Cage Beds Report. [8]

The potential for human rights violations as the result of guardianship has remained hidden for many years. MDAC has helped bring the issue to public attention by researching and publishing the first analysis of guardianship systems in eight countries. With our partner organisations we are now working with governments, lawyers and the judiciary to limit human rights violations related to guardianship.Click here to read our reports on guardianship. [9]