Olmstead v. L.C.
Country: United StatesYear: 1999
Court: Supreme Court
Citation: 527 U.S. 581 (1999)
Health Topics: Disabilities, Health care and health services, Hospitals, Mental health
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Right to bodily integrity, Right to liberty and security of person
The Respondents, L. C. and E. W., both mentally disabled women, brought proceedings against the State alleging that the State’s failure to place them in a community-based program, after their treating professional had determined that such a placement was appropriate, violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Title II of …Read more
Victor Rosario Congo v. Ecuador
Country: EcuadorYear: 1999
Court: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Citation: Report 63/99, Case No. 11.427; OEA/Ser.L/V/II.106 Doc. 6 rev., April 13, 1999
Health Topics: Diet and nutrition, Health care and health services, Mental health, Prisons
Human Rights: Right to bodily integrity, Right to due process/fair trial, Right to food, Right to health, Right to life, Right to water and sanitation
Victor Rosario Congo, an Ecuadorian, was placed in a detention center pending investigations into criminal charges. There were indications that he suffered from a mental disorder. In September 12, 1990, Mr. Congo was placed in an isolation cell at which time a guard assaulted him in the Rehabilitation Center, inflicting a wound to his head. …Read more
Winko v British Columbia (Forensic Psychiatric Institute)
Country: CanadaYear: 1999
Court: Supreme Court of Canada
Citation: [1999] 2 SCR 625
Health Topics: Hospitals, Mental health, Violence
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Right to bodily integrity
The appellant was schizophrenic and was arrested for attacking pedestrians on the street with a knife. Prior to the incident he had been hearing voices. The appellant was charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for purposes dangerous to the public peace. He was found not criminally responsible (“NCR”) …Read more
Aerts v. Belgium
Country: BelgiumYear: 1998
Court: European Court of Human Rights
Citation: Application No. 25357/94; (1998) 29 EHRR 50; [1998] ECHR 64; 5 BHRC 382; [1998] HRCD 749; (2000) 53 BMLR 79
Health Topics: Controlled substances, Health care and health services, Mental health, Prisons
Human Rights: Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Right to due process/fair trial, Right to liberty and security of person
Michael Aerts, complained his continued detention in the psychiatric wing of a prison pending his transfer to the Social Protection Centre breached the right to liberty and security of person in article 5(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the right to fair hearing under article 6(1) of the ECHR, and the prohibition …Read more
In re L (by his next friend GE)
Country: United KingdomYear: 1998
Court: House of Lords
Citation: [1998] UKHL 24
Health Topics: Health care and health services, Health systems and financing, Hospitals, Informed consent, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to due process/fair trial, Right to liberty and security of person
Mr. L was a mentally retarded person who was incapable of consenting to medical treatment. From the age of 13, he had been a resident at the Bournewood Hospital which was governed by the appellant, NHS Trust. Mr. L was discharged from the hospital on a trial basis into the community with paid carers, though …Read more
R v Bournewood Community and Mental Health Trust ex parte L (Secretary of State for Health & Ors intervening)
Country: United KingdomYear: 1998
Court: House of Lords
Citation: [1998] 3 All ER 289
Health Topics: Hospitals, Informed consent, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to liberty and security of person
L, who was profoundly mentally retarded and incapable of consenting to medical treatment, was admitted informally for in-patient treatment by an National Health Service Trust as he appeared fully compliant and did not resist admission. As a consequence the Trust avoided invoking the Mental Health Act regime. L applied, by his next friend, for judicial …Read more
Andersson, Anne-Marie v. Sweden
Country: SwedenYear: 1997
Court: European Court of Human Rights
Citation: App. No. 20022/92, 25 Eur. H.R. Rep. 722 (1998).
Health Topics: Child and adolescent health, Health care and health services, Health information, Health systems and financing, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to due process/fair trial, Right to privacy
Applicant, a Swedish national who lived with her youngest son was unable to work as a result of dental problems which caused her severe pain, and anxiety about a dispute with her landlord. She contacted a psychiatric clinic in order to receive a medical certificate which would enable her to claim sickness benefit from the …Read more
Burnett v. Mental Health Tribunal
Country: AustraliaYear: 1997
Court: Supreme Court of Australian Capital Territory
Citation: [1997] ACTSC 310
Health Topics: Mental health
Human Rights: Right to due process/fair trial, Right to liberty and security of person
This case involved a challenge to a decision of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Mental Health Tribunal. The ACT Supreme Court set aside an order to detain and administer psychiatric treatment to Geraldine Patricia Burnett, a 38 year old woman who suffered from a mild psychotic disorder. Burnett had at various times been taken into …Read more
Jaffee v. Redmond
Country: United StatesYear: 1996
Court: Supreme Court
Citation: 518 U.S. 1 (1996)
Health Topics: Health information, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to privacy
Respondent, Redmond, received counseling from a licensed clinical social worker after a “traumatic incident” in which she shot and killed a man while on duty as a police officer. Petitioner, Allen, the administrator of the estate of the deceased, filed an action in the Federal District Court seeking damages and alleging that Respondent had violated …Read more
Sahadath v. Trinidad and Tobago
Country: Trinidad and TobagoYear: 1996
Court: United Nations Human Rights Committee
Citation: Communication No. 684/1996, CCPR/C/74/D/684/1996
Health Topics: Health care and health services, Mental health, Prisons
Human Rights: Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
R.S. was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On 8 March 1996, the same day that five other warrants of execution were read (although the prison was only equipped to handle two executions a day), R.S. was read a warrant for his execution, to take place on 13 March 1996. Along with a psychiatrist, …Read more