Dignity, Mental Health and Human Rights : Coercion and the Law

This book explores the human rights consequences of recent and ongoing revisions of mental health legislation in England and Ireland. The author uses the checklist of the WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation as a framework for analysis, and considers recent case-law from the ECHR, as well as the implications of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The author focuses on dignity, human rights and mental health law to evaluate to what extent the human rights of the mentally ill have been protected and promoted.

This book explores the human rights consequences of recent and ongoing revisions of mental health legislation in England and Ireland. Presenting a critical discussion of the World Health Organization''s ''Checklist on Mental Health Legislation'' from its Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation, the author uses this checklist as a frame-work for analysis to examine the extent to which mental health legislation complies with the WHO human rights standards. The author also examines recent case-law from the European Court of Human Rights, and looks in depth at the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for mental health law in England and Ireland. Focusing on dignity, human rights and mental health law, the work sets out to determine to what extent, if any, human rights concerns have influenced recent revisions of mental health legislation, and to what extent recent developments in mental health law have assisted in protecting and promoting the human rights of the mentally ill. The author seeks to articulate better, clearer and more connected ways to protect and promote the rights of the mentally ill though both law and policy.