Implications of scientific and technological developments for human rights.
- Author: UN Commission on Human Rights (42nd sess. : 1986 : Geneva)
- Document source:
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Date:
10 March 1986
1986/12. Implications of scientific and technological developments for human rights[1]50
The Commission on Human Rights, Mindful of the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights relating to the humane treatment of all persons, Recalling its resolution 10 A (XXXIII) of 11 March 1977, by which it requested the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to study the question of the protection of persons detained on the grounds of mental ill-health, with a view to formulating guidelines, Expressing deep concern at the repeated evidence of the misuse of psychiatry to detain persons on non-medical grounds, as reflected in the report[2]51 of the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission, Mrs. Erica-Irene A. Daes, Reaffirming its conviction that detention of persons in mental institutions on account of their political views or on other non-medical grounds is a violation of their human rights, Noting that at the thirty-eighth session of the Sub-Commission, the sessional working group on the question of persons detained on the grounds of mental ill-health or suffering from mental disorder made progress, starting its second preliminary reading of the text of the draft body of principles, guidelines and guarantees prepared by the Special Rapporteur,[3]52 Recalling further its resolution 1984/47 of 13 March 1984 and General Assembly resolution 40/110 of 13 December 1985,1. Reiterates the urgent need for principles and guidelines to prevent the misuse of psychiatry and to safeguard the rights of all individuals;
2. Notes that because the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities has not completed its work, the Commission is not yet able to consider the matter;
3. Invites States Members of the United Nations to give careful consideration to the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission;[4]53
4. Further invites States Members of the United Nations, pending the adoption of a body of principles, guidelines and guarantees, to adhere to the existing standards set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to take such steps as may be necessary to protect the rights of all those persons detained on grounds of mental ill-health or suffering from mental disorder;
5. Urges the Sub-Commission, as a matter of high priority, to allocate sufficient time to its sessional working group in order to enable the, Sub-Commission to complete its consideration of the draft body of principles, guidelines and guarantees at its thirty-ninth session, so that the Commission may submit its views and recommendations, including a draft body of principles, guidelines and guarantees, to the General Assembly at its forty-second session.
[1]50 Adopted at the 50th meeting, on 10 March 1986, without a vote. See chap. XV, 413. [2]51 E/CN.4/Sub.2/1983/17. [3]52 E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/20. [4]53 E/CN.4/Sub.2/1983/17, paras. 224-252.
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