Human Rights Council

Mental health disorders currently affect almost 14% of the world’s population, with millions of people stationed in mental health institutions with an aim of receiving the care and attention they need in order to maintain their condition. However, the mental healthcare system is often unable to effectively serve its patients, lacking in resources, appropriate facilities, personnel, and effective methods of treatment which respect the patients’ needs and human rights. In many cases, psychiatric patients are even mistreated, taken advantage of, or abused by the medical staff, and in more extreme cases, are subjected to things such as rape, physical abuse or forced medication and restraint. Mental health patients all over the world are treated in a manner in no way compatible with human rights, and are struggling to receive effective treatment for their disorders, and so it is up to the Human Rights Council to secure a much needed global reform of mental healthcare systems.

In Europe, nearly 1 in 2 Muslims nowadays experience racial discrimination. This prejudice also affects their ability to enter the workforce, which has a knock-on effect on other areas of life, such as housing, education or healthcare. Due to the global economic crisis, uncertainties about national identities and increasing diversity in many societies have led to a growth of resentment against Muslims and Islam, further fuelled by intolerant language in media and political discourse. Sadly, this issue has been prevalent all around the world. For example the Chinese ethnic minority Uyghurs have experienced mass violations of human rights, including targeting Muslim religious figures, destroying mosques and tombs as well as over a million unrightful detainments and imprisonments over the past few years. This extreme racial segregation and discrimination violates multiple human rights and must not be tolerated in the 21st century. So what can we do to help?