A report issued last week in Vienna identified a series of violations such as shouting, insults, deprivation of liberty, excessive medication, involuntary treatments, isolation, financial exploitation, and physical and sexual violence in these centers, which violates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The European agency speaks of a “growing gap between rhetoric and reality” regarding the right to independent living, and urges EU countries to “end ‘institutionalization’ and prioritize the integration of people with disabilities into society.”
In a statement, FRA Director-General Sirpa Rautio highlighted that “violence against people with disabilities in institutional settings is a systemic problem that requires systemic change.”
Finn adds: “The European Union and its member states must fulfill their legal obligations and protect the fundamental rights of people with disabilities, giving priority to their inclusion in society, treating them with dignity and respect, and effectively protecting them from violence and abuse.”
Structural barriers that prevent reporting violations
The report, which is based on desk research in 27 EU countries, highlights that violence persists thanks to structural barriers that prevent reporting violations.
According to the French Agency for Fundamental Rights, “many victims have come to consider violations as normal, because they do not know their rights and the channels for reporting them,” which generates “persistent barriers and a culture of silence and impunity.”
Many victims do not recognize the abuse because they have experienced it from an early age, while in other cases, absolute dependence on staff leads to fear of possible retaliation if complaints are made.
Missing: information, community alternatives, training, and complaints mechanisms
At the same time, this situation is exacerbated by “deficiencies in access to information and accessible reporting mechanisms,” making it difficult for victims to obtain redress, AFP warned.
On the other hand, the report notes that EU countries do not have complete, comparable or reliable data on violence in institutions.
This is why the General Evaluation calls for strengthening information systems to improve data collection and ensure that trends are assessed and problems are detected.
Among its strongest recommendations, the agency urges EU countries to gradually close institutions and ensure community-based alternatives to independent living.
At the same time, the Commission calls for the development of mandatory training for all members of the police force, supervisory teams and judicial workers, as well as the establishment of accessible, safe and confidential reporting mechanisms for victims.
rml (efe, @EURightsAgency)