In a historic decision, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities released its official inquiry report on Mexico, finding "grave and systemic" human rights violations against children and adults with disabilities confined in institutions.

Based on a petition by Disability Rights International (DRI), this investigation exposes the reality behind closed doors in psychiatric hospitals, orphanages, shelters, and "anexos" (addiction rehabilitation centers) across Mexico. 

DRI conducted a year-long investigation in Mexico in 2010, culminating in the release of the report, Abandoned & Disappeared: Mexico's Segregation and Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities. Within institutions, investigators identify a broad range of atrocious conditions and life-threatening forms of mistreatment.

Disability Rights International (DRI) and a coalition of partners from Mexico testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) at a public hearing on Friday, March 23, 2012. DRI's findings in Mexico are "deeply disturbing" said DRI Executive Director Eric Rosenthal, J.D., "and the Mexican government must be pressured to protect its most vulnerable citizens - those locked away for a lifetime because they have a disability - living in orphanages, psychiatric institutions and other social care facilities."

Disability Rights International (DRI) hosted this UN COSP virtual side-event exploring the challenges that indigenous people with disabilities are facing in communities in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and the United States.