Project Updates

LIGA and MDAC, along with representatives of other NGOs, are currently preparing a series of roundtables concerning people with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities, and other such groups, in March and April 2008. These meetings are aimed at discussing deficiencies in the current guardianship legislation and aim to introduce and pioneer a new trend – supported decision-making – that should provide the people concerned with adequate legal support, in addition to respecting their personal, and legal, autonomy.

To initiate public discussion concerning these issues, in January this year, LIGA and MDAC issued the policy paper (no. 6 in LIGA policy paper series): ‘Decision making of people with mental disabilities: principles for providing assistance.’ (available in Czech here). Meetings with other organizations should contribute to further development of this material, due to the help and experience of other NGOs in this area.

The bad practice of Czech courts, and the abuse of mentally disabled people by the total deprivation of their legal capacity, has been criticized by the Czech Constitutional Court in its decision no. II. ÚS 2630/07 issued on 13 December 2007, a case brought forward by the MDAC and LIGA. For the English version of the press release of this case click here.