Washington, DC - September 8, 2017 - After years of monitoring conditions, advocacy, and negotiations, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called on the government of Guatemala to take major steps toward the closure of its psychiatric hospital Federico Mora, called one of the most dangerous in the world by the BBC.
During a series of meetings with Disability Rights International (DRI) and the Guatemalan government, held this week in Mexico City, the IACHR has called on Guatemala to
- stop any new admissions to Federico Mora by January 201
- appoint a special judge to review all current and future detainee cases and assist them to be released into the community
- provide financial support for housing, medical care, and appropriate supports so that current detainees can live in the community with their families or independently