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Strasbourg, 04.02.2010 – The Committee of Ministers has just adopted a text
recommending that member states no longer place children with disabilities
in institutional care and instead give preference to community living.
There are
many concerns about the compatibility of institutional care with the
exercise of children’s rights. Barring exceptional circumstances, no
children should be placed in institutional care. Moreover, institutional
provision should be replaced with community-based services within a
reasonable timeframe as part of a comprehensive approach.
The
Committee of Ministers acknowledges that member states are at very different
stages in this area and that deinstitutionalisation is an on-going,
long-term process. The text therefore underlines the importance of
safeguarding the rights of children with disabilities and vulnerable young
adults in institutional care throughout the transition process.
Mechanisms should be established to involve children with disabilities and
their families in the process of service development, as they are vital
stakeholders.
The
Council of Europe has been active for several years now in defending
children’s rights and helping to eradicate violence against all children,
including children with disabilities.
It has
adopted a ten-year plan for 2006 to 2015 aimed at bringing about a major
change in perceptions of people with disabilities and in practices relating
to them. A key aspect is protecting and promoting the rights and dignity of
children with disabilities. In addition, one strand of the Building a
Europe for and with Children programme is protecting children against
violence.
Several
million children and adults with disabilities live in long-term care
institutions in the 47 Council of Europe member states.
Link to the full text of the recommendation
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