Case 248357
Country: FranceYear: 2005
Court: Conseil d'Etat [Council of State]
Citation: C.E., n°248357, 26 September 2005
Health Topics: Child and adolescent health, Disabilities, Informed consent, Mental health, Sexual and reproductive health
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Right to bodily integrity, Right to family life
In 2002, the ASSOCIATION AGAINST HANDIPHOBIA brought this challenge to Article L. 2123-2 of the Public Health Code, which allows for a guardian judge to impose contraception, sterilization and pregnancy termination on people with mental disabilities after rigorous review. The Association claimed the law was unconstitutional, a violation of the Declaration of the Rights of …Read more
R (on the application of H) v. Secretary of State for Health
Country: United KingdomYear: 2005
Court: House of Lords
Citation: [2005] UKHL 60
Health Topics: Hospitals, Informed consent, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to due process/fair trial, Right to liberty and security of person
H challenged the provision of the Mental Health Act 1983 under which she was detained as incompatible with her right to liberty and security under Human Rights Act 1998. H was a 32-year old woman who was severely disabled by Down’s syndrome. H’s mother intensely distrusted health and social services, and refused on many occasions …Read more
Storck v. Germany
Country: GermanyYear: 2005
Court: European Court of Human Rights
Citation: Storck v. F.R.G., App. No. 61603/00, 43 Eur. H.R. Rep. 96 (2005).
Health Topics: Disabilities, Health care and health services, Infectious diseases, Informed consent, Medical malpractice, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to due process/fair trial, Right to liberty and security of person, Right to privacy
Applicant, a German national, alleged violations under Article 5 (right to liberty and security of person), Article 6 § 1 (right to a fair hearing) and Article 8 (right to respect for his private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning her involuntary placement and medical treatment in a private clinic …Read more
Case 36/2000 (X. 27.) AB
Country: HungaryYear: 2004
Court: Constitutional Court
Health Topics: Health care and health services, Informed consent, Mental health, Sexual and reproductive health
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, Freedom of religion, Right to bodily integrity, Right to due process/fair trial, Right to health, Right to liberty and security of person
The Court issued this decision in response to numerous petitions challenging the constitutionality of the sections of the Act CLIV of 1997 on Healthcare pertaining to the treatment of psychiatric patients, especially those with limited disposing capacity. One petitioner objected to the provision of the AH which allowed a therapist to use the assistance of …Read more
Glass v. The United Kingdom
Country: United KingdomYear: 2004
Court: European Court of Human Rights
Citation: Glass v. U.K., App. No. 61827/00, 39 Eur. H.R. Rep. 15 (2004).
Health Topics: Child and adolescent health, Disabilities, Health systems and financing, Informed consent, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to bodily integrity, Right to family life, Right to privacy
Applicants, a severely handicapped child and his mother (and legal proxy) Ms. Glass, claimed an Article 8 violation (right to respect for private life) when Ms. Glass’ objection to a course of medical treatment was overruled by the medical staff. As a legal proxy, the mother gave authorization to the doctors at St Mary’s Hospital …Read more
Case 22/2003 (IV.28)
Country: HungaryYear: 2003
Court: Constitutional Court
Health Topics: Health information, Informed consent, Medical malpractice
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Right to bodily integrity, Right to life
The Court of Hungary received several petitions regarding the right of patients suffering from terminal illnesses to end their lives with dignity and consolidated the petitions into a single judgment. One petition asked the Court to declare unconstitutional and annul the last sentence in Section 43, paragraph (2) of Act II of 1972 on Healthcare. …Read more
Diau v. Botswana Building Society
Country: BotswanaYear: 2003
Court: Industrial Court
Citation: Case No. IC 50/2003
Health Topics: HIV/AIDS, Informed consent
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Right to bodily integrity, Right to work
D was offered employment by B, a building society, as a security officer, subjecting her to undergoing and passing a full medical examination, including submission of certified documentation as to her HIV status. D began a six month probationary period which finished on 27 August 2002. After some reflection D informed B on 7 October …Read more
Irvin and Johnson Ltd. v. Trawler and Line Fishing Union, et al.
Country: South AfricaYear: 2003
Court: Labour Court of South Africa
Citation: (4) BLLR 379 (SALC)
Health Topics: Health care and health services, Health information, HIV/AIDS, Informed consent, Occupational health
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Right to privacy
The Applicant, Irvin and Johnson Limited, wished to arrange for the voluntary and anonymous HIV testing of the more than 1,100 employees in its trawling division. The testing was to be based on the principle of informed consent and accompanied by pre- and post-test counselling. However, the age and job category of the tested employee …Read more
Maria Mamerita Mestanza Chavez v. Peru
Country: PeruYear: 2003
Court: Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Citation: Report No. 66/00, Case 12.191, October 3, 2000; OEA/Ser./L/V/II.111, doc. 20 rev., 16 April 2001
Health Topics: Informed consent, Medical malpractice, Poverty, Sexual and reproductive health
Human Rights: Freedom from discrimination, Right to bodily integrity, Right to health, Right to life
A group of NGOs lodged a petition with the Commission alleging that Peru violated Maria Mamérita Mestanza Chávez’s rights on account of a forced sterilization that resulted in her death. Peru implemented a family planning policy involving compulsory and systematic sterilization in order to modify the reproductive behavior of the population. Poor, indigenous, and rural …Read more
Re BWV, ex parte Gardner
Country: AustraliaYear: 2003
Court: Supreme Court of Victoria
Citation: (2003) 7 VR 487
Health Topics: Aging, Chronic and noncommunicable diseases, Controlled substances, Diet and nutrition, Informed consent, Mental health
Human Rights: Right to bodily integrity, Right to life
This case was brought by the Public Advocate of Victoria as limited guardian of BWV, a woman aged 68 years, suffering from a fatal form of dementia (most likely Pick’s disease). At the time of bringing the case, BWV had not appeared conscious, nor had she had any cortical activity for approximately three years. Evidence …Read more