European Union Deinstitutionalisation - A Clear Future Policy Direction for Europe

20 Jun 2011 | orphanage

28 June 2011, Brussels, European Parliament: 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, two new reports are being launched at the European Parliament 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. If interested, please contact UNICEF before 22 June 2011 by e-mail:pybrundseaux@unicef.org.