The matter pertained to a 19-20 year old, “mentally retarded”, woman (the victim) whose mental capacity was that of a nine year old. She was living in a welfare institution (the Institution) established by the Chandigarh Administration, having previously lived in a government institute for mentally retarded children. She became pregnant while living in the …Read more

In 2002, the High Court convicted C on eight counts of sexual assault, including rape, unlawful sexual connection, and other offences against the person including detaining with intent to have sexual intercourse. C was subsequently sentenced to preventive detention. C conducted his own defense during the trial. The jury addressed its concerns about the manner …Read more

The Mental Disability Advocacy Center (‘MDAC’) alleged that Bulgaria was violating Article 17(2) (right to free education for children) alone and in conjunction with Article E (non-discrimination) of the Revised European Social Charter (the ‘Charter’) because Bulgaria was not educating children with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities living in homes for mentally disabled children (‘HMDCs’). MDAC claimed that until 2002, children with moderate to …Read more

The Appellant, Panetti, was convicted of capital murder in a Texas state court and sentenced to death. After the execution date was set, Panetti brought proceedings claiming that he was incompetent to be executed. The federal district court stayed Panetti’s execution in order to allow the state courts to adjudicate Panetti’s claim of mental incompetence. …Read more

The Applicant was a multi-handicapped child suffering from “Down Syndrome, a congenital heart defect and a delayed thyroid disorder”. He was being treated for his condition and, in the absence of treatment, it was expected that his physical and mental condition would deteriorate.  Applicant had applied for a grant of residence, which was denied by …Read more

In 2002, the ASSOCIATION AGAINST HANDIPHOBIA brought this challenge to Article L. 2123-2 of the Public Health Code, which allows for a guardian judge to impose contraception, sterilization and pregnancy termination on people with mental disabilities after rigorous review. The Association claimed the law was unconstitutional, a violation of the Declaration of the Rights of …Read more

The applicant, Ms. Kolanis, was convicted of a crime and found to be suffering from mental illness pursuant to the Mental Health Act 1983. Her application to reside at home was upheld by the Tribunal, which ordered her conditional discharge provided she live at home with her parents, be supervised by a social worker and …Read more

The applicant, a United Kingdom national, suffered from severe autism. He was unable to speak, his level of understanding was limited, and he lacked the ability to consent or refuse treatment. For over thirty years he had been cared for in Bournewood Hospital as an in-patient at the Intensive Behavioural Unit after which time he …Read more

H, a young woman who suffered from Down’s syndrome and was severely mentally disabled, lived with her mother, BL, who was deeply distrustful of the health authorities. When her BL fell ill and H’s behaviour became increasingly disturbed H was formally admitted to hospital for assessment under section 2 (allowing mandatory commitment for mentally ill …Read more

The Appellant, Atkins, a mentally disabled individual, was convicted of capital murder and related crimes by a Virginia jury and sentenced to death. He brought this appeal alleging that he could not be sentenced to death because executing the mentally disabled would constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” as prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.