Our work in Human Rights

Inside 'world's most dangerous' hospital in Guatemala

Video

An undercover BBC investigation into conditions at a mental health institution in Guatemala has revealed patient suffering and abuse at the hands of those meant to care for them. Federico Mora Hospital has been described by campaigners as the world's most abusive and dangerous mental health institution. In 2012, Guatemala was ordered by an American Human Rights Commission to make emergency improvements to the Federico Mora Hospital to "save lives". The government promised to comply. But an undercover BBC investigation found little has changed.

Sin Justicia: Tortura, tráfico y segregación en México

Reports and Publications

Detrás de las puertas cerradas de las instituciones para personas con discapacidad en la Ciudad de México, ocurren abusos atroces que constituyen nada menos que tortura. A los niños y adultos se les niega cualquier tipo de tratamiento médico, éstos languidecen cubiertos en su propia orina y heces, en condiciones deshumanizantes e inmundas.

Twice Violated

Reports and Publications

The present report is based on the results of a year-long study carried out by Disability Rights International (DRI) together with the Women’s Group of the Colectivo Chuhcan –the first organization in Mexico directed by persons with psychosocial disabilities.

Orphanages are no place for children

News Article

Published in The Washington Post

 

An estimated 8 million to 10 million infants and children live in orphanages around the world, and aid agencies, churches and governments provide hundreds of millions of dollars in the hope that they can help vulnerable children find sanctuary in these institutions. This hope is badly misplaced. Orphanages are not safe places for children.

The Rights of Persons with Mental Disabilities in the New Mexican Criminal Justice System

Reports and Publications

For any criminal justice system to work effectively, it is essential to take into account the rights of persons with mental disabilities given that they are more likely than the rest of the population to be involved in criminal proceedings – either as defendants, victims or witnesses.During criminal proceedings, these persons with physical and mental disabilities face numerous obstacles to effective exercise of their right to justice.