The report presented by the Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights on the ill treatment faced by the disabled adults in health centers hold compelling and shocking evidences of injustice faced by the adults with learning disabilities in health care centers.
Some of the disabled are inappropriately restrained with straps or a “chemical coshs’. Most of them are denied treatment and subjected to cruel assaults. The committee warns that such incidents are shocking and shameful to Human Rights ActMP Andrew Dismore, chair of the committee, said: “It is extremely depressing to see, 10 years after the introduction of the Human Rights Act, the way people with learning disabilities are treated when using our services. There is a real gap between the government’s policy and everyday experiences.”
"We were astonished at the lack of a clear government strategy to ensure they can understand their rights. We call on the government to do more. The task of securing the dignity and self-respect of this vulnerable group is the responsibility of us all." He added.
According to the committee, the ignorance of the adults with learning disability makes them more vulnerable to become the subjects of miscarriages of justice.
The Disability Equality Duty, the Disability Discrimination Act and the Human Rights Act, meant to protect their rights does not seem to meet the purpose mainly because of the weak monitoring from the part of the government and the local authorities.
The committee emphasized the importance of public duty and for a positive attitude change from the part of the government to put a stop to the high levels of discriminations faced by the disabled adults.
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