The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Uniting 4 Rights
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May 7, 2025
12:00 PM Hawaii/3:00 PM Pacific/4:00 PM Mountain/5:00 PM Central/6:00 PM Eastern/7 PM Brazil Standard
Pre-registration required. To register click
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYucOytrzMrEt0MB4FSNRIqMdJQwyyjwJ0i
About the Topic
This presentation focuses on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its significance for users and survivors of psychiatry. The CRPD emphasizes a human rights approach, non-discrimination, and autonomy for persons with disabilities. It represents a shift from older, more paternalistic approaches like the United Nations MI Principles, asserting that the CRPD respects all human rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities equally and prohibits forced psychiatric interventions based on dangerousness to self or others. Key principles highlighted include autonomy, freedom of choice, and active involvement in decision-making. The presentation discusses Article 12, advocating support for supported decision-making over substituted decision-making, and covers various rights protected by the CRPD, such as liberty, freedom from torture, and the right to health and political participation. The CRPD is viewed as a victory for users and survivors of psychiatry, providing a legal foundation to abolish certain practices and establish support systems. How we must come together in unity NOW more than ever before… LETS RALLY TOGETHER 4 RIGHTS
About the Presenter
Myra Kovary, a passionate movement activist and international disability rights leader in the consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement for the human rights of persons with disabilities, survivors of psychiatry. She played a key role in the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as a representative of MindFreedom International and a member of the International Disability Caucus (IDC). Kovary has worked with several internal rights organizations as the Network Facilitator, International Network of Women with Disabilities and has actively worked to educate others on the CRPD and its implications, especially concerning legal capacity, autonomy, and the right to freedom from forced treatment. Her advocacy extends to various platforms, including the United Nations, where she has participated in expert panels and side events.