|
A/58/181/Add.1
Progress of efforts to ensure the full recognition
and
enjoyment of the human rights of persons with disabilities -
Report of the Secretary-General
Addendum*
I. Introduction
1. By its resolution 2002/61 of 25 April 2002, the Commission on
Human Rights requested the Secretary-General to report annually to the
General Assembly on the progress of efforts to ensure the full
recognition and enjoyment of the human rights of persons with
disabilities. In order to avoid duplication with the several reports
which are submitted every year to different organs and subsidiary bodies
of the United Nations on the issue of disability, the Secretariat
decided to submit a report focusing on the protection afforded by
international human rights law to persons with mental disabilities, with
a particular focus on the issue of procedural safeguards for persons
with mental disabilities.
2. In compliance with the request contained in Commission on Human
Rights resolution 2002/61, the Secretary-General distributed a
questionnaire to States, relevant bodies and organizations of the United
Nations system and national human rights institutions, requesting
information on national legislation and practice relating to persons
with mental disabilities. By 4 September 2003, the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights had received responses from
the Governments of Chile, El Salvador and India. The present addendum to
the report of the Secretary-General (A/58/181) has become necessary in
order to incorporate the replies received from these States after the
submission of the present report.
II. Replies received from Governments
3. In paragraph 6, second sentence, add the following States to the
list of those who have replied to the questionnaire:
Chile, El Salvador, India
4. In paragraph 19, after the third sentence, add the following
sentence:
In India, the responsibility to decide over a person’s legal
capacity rests solely with medical authorities.
5. In paragraph 29, after last sentence, add the following sentence:
In Chile, the decision on compulsory institutionalization is taken by
a qualified medical doctor, and must be subject to the scrutiny of the
health authority if extended over 72 hours. The intervention of the
judicial authority is only requested in the cases provided for by the
Code of Criminal Procedure.
6. In paragraph 30, last sentence, insert the following State before
Costa Rica and Mexico:
Chile
7. Add Chile to footnotes 10, 12-14, 25 and 29.
8. Add El Salvador to footnote 23, 29, 42 and 43.
Notes
* The present addendum has been submitted late in order to
ensure that all the relevant information provided by Governments is
before the General Assembly.
Return to top |
