Abstract

The tripartite human rights mantra of ‘respect, protect and fulfil’ ¹ is commonly recited by UN bodies and regional and national courts. ² However, despite a plethora of protective international human rights treaties, egregious violations continue against those who are vulnerable due to their mental health. Given the dearth of effective international protective mechanisms highlighted in Chapter 20, ³ can a human rights approach truly result in improved lives and health for those with psychosocial disabilities? ⁴ How can practical redress for human rights violations be obtained, and how might the right to (mental) health be strengthened?