MENTALHEALTHDECLARATIONOFHUMANRIGHTS BytheCitizensCommissiononHumanRights

Allgreatorganizationssetforthcodesbywhichtheyaligntheirpurposesandactivities.The MentalHealthDeclarationofHumanRightsarticulatestheguidingprinciplesofCCHRand thestandardsagainstwhichhumanrightsviolationsbypsychiatryarerelentlessly investigatedandexposed. A. Nopersonshallbegivenpsychiatricorpsychologicaltreatmentagainsthisorherwill. B. Noperson,man,womanorchild,maybedeniedhisorherpersonallibertybyreason ofmentalillness,socalled,withoutafairjurytrialbylaymenandwithproperlegal representation. C. Nopersonshallbeadmittedtoorheldinapsychiatricinstitution,hospitalorfacility becauseoftheirreligious,politicalorculturalbeliefsandpractices. D. Anypatienthas: 1) Therighttobetreatedwithdignityasahumanbeing; 2) Therighttohospitalamenitieswithoutdistinctionastorace,color,sex, language,religion,politicalopinion,socialoriginorstatusbyrightofbirthor property. 3) Therighttohaveathoroughphysicalandclinicalexaminationbyacompetent registeredgeneralpractitionerofoneschoice,toensurethatonesmental conditionisnotcausedbyanyundetectedanduntreatedphysicalillness,injury ordefect,andtherighttoseekasecondmedicalopinionofoneschoice. 4) Therighttofullyequippedmedicalfacilitiesandappropriatelytrainedmedical staffinhospitals,sothatcompetentphysical,clinicalexaminationscanbe performed; 5) Therighttochoosethekindortypeoftherapytobeemployed,andtherightto discussthiswithageneralpractitioner,healerorministerofoneschoice. 6) Therighttohaveallthesideeffectsofanyofferedtreatmentmadeclearand understandabletothepatient,inwrittenformandinthepatientsnative language. 7) Therighttoacceptorrefusetreatmentbutinparticular,therighttorefuse sterilization,electroshocktreatment,insulinshock,lobotomy(oranyother psychosurgicalbrainoperation),aversiontherapy,narcotherapy,deepsleep therapyandanydrugsproducingunwantedsideeffects. 8) Therighttomakeofficialcomplaints,withoutreprisal,toanindependentboard whichiscomposedofnonpsychiatricpersonnel,lawyersandlaypeople. Complaintsmayencompassanytorturous,cruel,inhumanordegrading treatmentorpunishmentreceivedwhileunderpsychiatriccare. 9) Therighttohaveprivatecounselwithalegaladvisorandtotakelegalaction.

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Therighttodischargeoneselfatanytimeandtobedischargedwithout restriction,havingcommittednooffense. Therighttomanageonesownpropertyandaffairswithalegaladvisor,if necessary,orifdeemedincompetentbyacourtoflaw,tohaveaState appointedexecutortomanagesuchuntiloneisadjudicatedcompetent.Such executorisaccountabletothepatientsnextofkin,orlegaladvisororguardian. Therighttoseeandpossessoneshospitalrecordsandtotakelegalactionwith regardtoanyfalseinformationcontainedthereinwhichmaybedamagingto onesreputation. Therighttotakecriminalaction,withthefullassistanceoflawenforcement agents,againstanypsychiatrist,psychologistorhospitalstaffforanyabuse, falseimprisonment,assaultfromtreatment,sexualabuseorrape,orany violationofmentalhealthorotherlaw.Andtherighttoamentalhealthlaw thatdoesnotindemnifyormodifythepenaltiesforcriminal,abusiveor negligenttreatmentofpatientscommittedbyanypsychiatrist,psychologistor hospitalstaff. Therighttosuepsychiatrists,theirassociationsandcolleges,theinstitution,or staffforunlawfuldetention,falsereports,ordamagingtreatment. Therighttoworkortorefusetowork,andtherighttoreceivejust compensationonapayscalecomparabletounionorstate/nationalwagesfor similarwork,foranyworkperformedwhilehospitalized. Therighttoeducationortrainingsoastoenableonebettertoearnaliving whendischarged,therightofchoiceoverwhatkindofeducationortrainingis received. Therighttoreceivevisitorsandaministerofonesownfaith. Therighttomakeandreceivetelephonecallsandtherighttoprivacywith regardtoallpersonalcorrespondencetoandfromanyone. Therighttofreelyassociateornotwithanygrouporpersoninapsychiatric institution,hospitalorfacility. Therighttoasafeenvironmentwithouthavingintheenvironment,persons placedthereforcriminalreasons. Therighttobewithothersofonesownagegroup. Therighttowearpersonalclothing,tohavepersonaleffectsandtohavea secureplaceinwhichtokeepthem. Therighttodailyphysicalexerciseintheopen. Therighttoaproperdietandnutritionandtothreemealsaday. Therighttohygienicconditionsandnonovercrowdedfacilities,andto sufficient,undisturbedleisureandrest.