The International Humanist & Ethical Union, assembled at its 8th World Congress on “Anti-Humanist Trends: Challenge and Response” in Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, August 1-5, 1982,
- Emphasises that patients of mental hospitals are entitled to all fundamental human rights including the right to choose or refuse medical treatment, and thatin dealing with exceptions to this statement of principle the patient’s own will should remain the most important guideline;
- Condemns the obstruction by the state authorities and medical staff experience by patients of the mental state hospital in Wiesloch, Baden-Württemberg,
Federal Republic of Germany, as well as by their lawyers when trying to effectuate their rights inside the hospital;Urges that thorough, independent investigations, aiming at objectivity, are carried out concerning the situation in Wiesloch, and
- Requests the International Humanist Ombudsman of the IHEU, as well as IHEU member organisations in Germany to support the investigations mentionedabove and to undertake actions aimed at the securing of fundamental human rights of all those who are mentally ill.
IHEU Congress 1982
Suggested academic reference
'Rights for the mentally ill', Humanists International, World Humanist Congress, Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, 1982