In this article, a Human Rights Watch researcher describes her personal experiences meeting adults and children in the Western Balkans who have spent their lives hidden away in institutions because they have a disability. These individuals are often subject to abuse, forced medical treatments, and limited freedom of movement. Children are especially vulnerable to abuse and suffer physical, emotional and intellectual delays as a result of isolation and neglect. The authors calls not only on governments to work towards deinstitutionalization, but on all people to end the pervasive stigmatization against people with disabilities.
