The right to mental health 2017, para. 64
Paragraph- Paragraph text
- Justification for using coercion is generally based on “medical necessity” and “dangerousness”. These subjective principles are not supported by research and their application is open to broad interpretation, raising questions of arbitrariness that has come under increasing legal scrutiny. “Dangerousness” is often based on inappropriate prejudice, rather than evidence. There also exist compelling arguments that forced treatment, including with psychotropic medications, is not effective, despite its widespread use. Decisions to use coercion are exclusive to psychiatrists, who work in systems that lack the clinical tools to try non-coercive options. The reality in many countries is that alternatives do not exist and reliance on the use of coercion is the result of a systemic failure to protect the rights of individuals.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Paragraph type
- Other
- Paragraph number
- 64
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