20 June, 2005 22:44 GMT
Nearly a quarter of all countries have no mental health legislation, while many others offer only poor protection. 'People with mental disorders are, or can be, particularly vulnerable to abuse and violation of rights,' WHO said.
Governments should pass legislation to protect the human rights of people with mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and dementia, the UN health agency said Monday.
In some communities, people with mental disorders are tied or chained to trees or logs, or are imprisoned without being accused of any crime, the
World Health Organization said.
"In many psychiatric institutions and hospitals, patients face gross violations of their rights," the agency said. "People are restrained with metal shackles, confined in caged beds, deprived of clothing, decent bedding, clean water or proper toilet facilities and are subject to abuse."
Among the Most Vulnerable
People with mental health problems also often face discrimination in employment, education and housing, WHO added. It did not single out any specific countries.
In many countries, the people who suffer from mental, neurological or behavioral problems are among the most vulnerable groups of society, WHO said in a 181-page report.
More than 450 million people around the world suffer from such problems, the agency said.
'Moral and Legal Obligation'
"We have a moral and legal obligation to modernize mental health legislation," said WHO chief Lee Jong-wook. "WHO is ready to help its member states fulfill this obligation with technical support and expert advice."
Nearly a quarter of all countries have no mental health legislation, while many others have only poor protection for people with mental disorders, WHO said.
"People with mental disorders are, or can be, particularly vulnerable to abuse and violation of rights," the report said.
The WHO report aims to help national authorities draw up appropriate mental health legislation. The agency said it was providing support to governments with the aim of improving the lives and well-being of the mentally ill.
"There are many ways to improve the lives of people with mental orders," the report said. "To implement such policies and plans, one needs good legislation."
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