UNICEF and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will host a launch of two reports on Deinstitutionalisation on 28 June 2011.
Across Europe, including within the European Union, there are more than a million people living in long-term residential institutional care, often for life. In these settings their rights are often violated. It is a type of care found to be particularly harmful for children under the age of three.
Two international legal frameworks recently adopted: the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2010), and the United Nations Guidelines on the Alternative care of Children (2009) have reinforced the obligation of States to develop community based alternatives to residential care and prevent institutionalisation.
To stimulate further discussion and reflection on this important issue, UNICEF and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights are hosting a launch of two new reports on the situation of children, persons with disabilities and older persons in institutions in Europe and in the Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia:
“Forgotten Europeans – Forgotten Rights” published by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR)
“At Home or in a Home – Formal care and adoption of children in Eastern Europe and Central Asia”, published by UNICEF
The launches will be followed by a debate and discussion.
Date and time: 28 June 2011, 12:00pm – 1:30 pm
Venue: room A5F385, European Parliament, Brussels
Please confirm your participation before 22 June 2011 to pybrundseaux@unicef.org. If you do not have a valid European Parliament badge, please include your name, date of birth, nationality, and passport/ID number.
