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Inter- American Commission on Human Rights hears testimony on abuse and torture case filed by DRI and Georgetown Law School’s O’Neil Institute

Washington, DC, July 2023 – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), recently held a public hearing on a case filed against the Mexican government by Disability Rights International (DRI) and Georgetown University Law School’s O'Neill Institute, regarding the abuses and torture perpetrated against children and adults – most with developmental disabilities - who are confined indefinitely to the Casa Esperanza Institution in Mexico.  

International Children with Disabilities Protection Act: Senate Briefing & Reception December 6th 2022

Link to DRI PSA Senate Bill for the International Children with Disabilities Protection Act. HERE  [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naepOo4snKA[/embed] Link to Livestream recording of the Senate Briefing & Reception Celebrating the International Children with Disabilities Protection Act and International Day of Persons with Disabilities. HERE [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLEp5zZV4w0[/embed]

Bipartisan Senators Introduce International Children with Disabilities Protection Act in US Congress

This bill represents everything we’ve been working on for over two decades. All children — especially children with disabilities — need our support to live and grow up in a loving family. And they need protection against being placed in orphanages or other institutions.

—   Laurie Ahern, President, Disability Rights International

International Children with Disabilities Protection Act

International Children with Disabilities Protection Act ; S.4982 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)

WASHINGTON – Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today were joined by ten of their Senate colleagues in introducing the International Children with Disabilities Protection Act, new legislation to bolster U.S. support for children with disabilities, helping improve the capacity of local disabilities rights organizations and families of children with disabilities around the world to advocate for necessary reforms.
Still At Risk

Still at Risk - Death and Disappearance of Survivors of the fire at Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción

On March 7, 2017, a group of girls, boys and teenagers protested the physical and sexual abuse, rape and trafficking that they were subjected to at the institution Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asuncion (Virgen de la Asuncion), in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Virgen de la Asuncion was a public institution where up to 800 children were detained prior to these protests. The authorities of Virgen de la Asuncion called on the National Police to repress the protests. As a punishment, the girls who had protested were beaten and locked up in a tiny auditorium with a capacity for 26 people standing, without a bathroom and access to water, where they were left to spend the night.
Todavia en Riesgo

Todavía en riesgo - Muerte y desaparición de sobrevivientes del incendio del Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción

El 7 de marzo de 2017, un grupo de niñas, niños y adolescentes iniciaron una protesta por el abuso físico y sexual, violación y trata a los que eran sometidos en la institución Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción (Virgen de la Asunción), en la Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Virgen de la Asunción era una institución pública donde hasta 800 niños se encontraban detenidos antes de estas protestas. Las autoridades de Virgen de la Asunción llamaron a la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) para reprimir las protestas. Como castigo por haber protestado, un grupo de 56 niñas fue encerrado en un pequeño cuarto con capacidad para 26 personas de pie, sin baño y sin acceso a agua, donde las dejaron pasar la noche.
Crimes Against Humanity

Crimes Against Humanity: Decades of Violence and Abuse in Mexican Institutions for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Children and adults with disabilities throughout Mexico are confined to institutions, segregated from society, and exposed to these dangers – because of the country’s failure to create social supports that would allow people to lead a full life in the community. Mexico’s law strips people with disabilities of the right to make decisions about their own lives – leaving them unable to file complaints or demand accountability when they are abused.

Alternative Report by Mexican Civil Society Organizations Submitted to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

This report is submitted to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter “The Committee” or “CRPD Committee”) for the working group of the pre-session 12, which will be held from September 23 to 27, 2019, to determine the list of issues for the CRPD Committee’s evaluation of Mexico.
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Still in Harms Way

This report documents the human rights violations, exploitation, and trafficking of children with and without disabilities in Guatemala. Guatemala has failed to create the protections and support needed to help children live with a family – especially children with disabilities. DRI is also concerned that private charities and international donors are supporting orphanages and perpetuating discrimination. International support – including “voluntourism” – leaves children open to segregation, abuse, and further exploitation by traffickers.
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