The protection of the mentally sick in the international law of human rights: old and new documents

Abstract

This study begins with the premise that the value of a legai provisions is to be measured by the degree of protection they can guarantee to people and social groups who are at risk. It examines intemational legal documents regarding the mentally sick. The author devotes particular attention to Recommendation n. R(83)2 edited by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on February 22, 1983 and on the Resolution n. A/3/0231/92 edited by the E.E.C. Parliament on September 16, 1992. Giudicial guarantees, as well as measures enabling mentally affected people to enjoy social and economic rights provided by main instruments of intemational law on human rights are focused.