Neglect of Serbia's disabled revealed
- 00:02:17
- ITN
Neglect of Serbia's disabled revealed
The chronic neglect of people with mental disabilities living in Serbian state institutions has been revealed by a US charity.In a new report, Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) has outlined the results of a four-year investigation into conditions within Serbia's mental institutions."Filthy conditions, contagious diseases, lack of medical care and rehabilitation and a failure to provide oversight renders placement in a Serbian institution life-threatening for both adults and children," the report said.Investigators examined the living conditions of more than 17,000 people with disabilities and found children and adults "tied to beds or never allowed to leave their cribs - some for years at a time."Children and adults with disabilities tied down and restrained over a lifetime are being subjected to extremely dangerous and painful treatment ... that is tantamount to torture," it said.MDRI executive director Eric Rosenthal said the aim was not "to single out Serbia" but to stress that the authorities needed to take action to integrate the disabled into the community.While visiting one of six institutions covered in the report, activist Laurie Ahren said she was "most disturbed" by the case of a 21-year-old man who has been institutionalised for 11 years."I asked the nurse how often he was taken out of the crib and she said 'never, he has never left the crib in 11 years'," Ms Ahren said.Since 2000, when Slobodan Milosevic was removed from power, Serbia's authorities have tried to improve the healthcare system and living conditions in hospitals and institutions after years of mismanagement and a lack of financial support.However, in a country with an average monthly salary of about 300 euros (£215) most of the improvements have been based on foreign and individual donations.MDRI activists said the report would be sent to the European Union, the United Nations and a number of international human right organisations.Last week, Serbia signed a Stabilisation and Association Accord with the EU, the first step towards membership of the bloc.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
ITN | November 15, 2007
