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Journal of International and Comparative Law Symposium
International Human Rights Law and the Institutional Treatment of Persons with Mental Disabilities: The Case of Hungary
April 12, 2002 | 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored by:
New York Law School Justice Action Center
Symposium Statement
Until the past few years, the revolution in international human rights law of the last decade has had no impact on the lives of those institutionalized in bleak, dangerous and desperate psychiatric institutions; finally, this has begun to change. The groundbreaking work of Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has documented conditions, published reports on human rights enforcement, and promoted international oversight of the rights of people with mental disabilities throughout Central and Eastern Europe and Central and South America. Much of MDRI's work has focused specifically on Hungary and on the conditions in the psychiatric institutions and so-called 'social care” homes in that nation.
New York Law School is proud to present a symposium on the intersection between international human rights law and mental disability law, specifically (though not exclusively) focusing on Hungarian institutions. Presenters will include Eric Rosenthal (Executive Director of MDRI), Dr. Éva Szeli (MDRI's Director of European Programs), patient advocates, human rights advocates, judges, lawyers and mental health professionals from Hungary and Bulgaria, and law professors and mental disability litigators from the United States.
Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) is a non-governmental advocacy organization dedicated to the recognition and enforcement of the rights of people with mental disabilities. Established in 1993 as a joint project of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and American University's Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, MDRI documents conditions, publishes reports on human rights enforcement, and promotes international oversight of the rights of people with mental disabilities. Drawing on the skills and experience of attorneys, mental health professionals, human rights advocates, people with mental disabilities and their family members, MDRI trains and supports advocates seeking legal and service system reform and assists governments to develop laws and policies to promote community integration and human rights enforcement for people with mental disabilities.
MDRI, based in Washington, DC, is forging new alliances throughout the world to challenge the discrimination and abuse of people with mental disabilities, as well as working with locally-based advocates to create new advocacy projects and to promote citizen participation and human rights for children and adults.
In the spring of 2001, MDRI opened its Central and East Europe (CEE) Regional office in Budapest, Hungary, headed by Dr. Éva Szeli.
Schedule
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9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. |
Registration and Coffee
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9:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. |
Welcome
Dean Richard Matasar, New York Law School
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9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. |
An Overview: International Human Rights and Mental Disability Law
Introduction: 'Chimes of Freedom”: International Human Rights and Mental Disability Law
Speaker: Professor Michael L. Perlin,
New York Law School
International Mental Disability Law: The Central & Eastern European Experience
Speaker: Dr. Éva Szeli, Director, European Programs, MDRI
International Mental Disability Law and Human Rights Law: The Helsinki Committee Perspective
Speaker: Krassimir Kanev, Chairman, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee
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11:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. |
Break
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11:20 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. |
Hungary: The Social Care Home Report
Moderator: Professor Stephen Ellmann, New York Law School
Speakers: Eszter Kismodi, Esq., University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Gabor Gombos, President, Mental Health Interest Forum
Dr. Katalin Peto, Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst, Vice President, Mental Health Interest Forum
Jean Bliss, New York Law School Student
Sara Rotkin, New York Law School Student
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1:20 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
Luncheon: The Application of International Human Rights Law to Institutional Mental Disability Law
Introduction: Professor Sydney M. Cone, III, New York Law School
Speaker: Eric Rosenthal, J.D., Executive Director, MDRI
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2:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Bridging the Gap: American and Other Perspectives
Moderator: Professor Paul Dubinsky, New York Law School
Therapeutic Jurisprudence Perspectives
Panelist: Professor Bruce Winick, University of Miami School of Law
Guardianship Reform Perspectives
Panelist: Professor Robert Dinerstein, American University Washington College of Law
Court Systems Perspectives
Panelist: Hon. Ginger Lerner-Wren,
Broward County Court, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
European Union Perspectives
Panelist: Professor Elizabeth Duquette, University of Chicago Law School
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The Justice Action Center is committed to developing socially conscious lawyers dedicated to preserving human rights and liberties, ensuring international human rights, and using the constructive power of law to work for social advancement.
Professor Lenni B. Benson
Executive Director
Professor Richard Marsico
Director for Curriculum and Public Service
Faculty associated with the Justice Action Center:
Lenni B. Benson: Immigration Law and Policy
Robert Blecker: Innocence Project and Victims' Rights
Carol Buckler: Refugee Resettlement
Lawrence Grosberg: Civil Rights and Housing Discrimination
Karen Gross: Consumer Rights and Debtor Education
Stephen Ellmann: International Human Rights and South African
Constitutional Law
Arthur Leonard: Sexual Orientation Discrimination Law
Richard Marsico: Community Reinvestment and Refugee Law
Dean Richard Matasar: Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, and
Federal Courts
Carlin Meyer: Employment Law and Economic Rights
Denise Morgan: Education Equality
Michael Perlin: Mental Disability Law
Nadine Strossen: Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties
Ruti Teitel: International Human Rights
NEW YORK LAW SCHOOL
57 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013
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