A/HRC/RES/43/13
Welcoming further the discussion held by the Joint United Nations Programme on
HIV/AIDS on the theme of mental health and HIV/AIDS: promoting human rights, an
integrated and person-centred approach to improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy,
well-being and quality of life, during the thematic segment of the forty-third meeting of its
Programming Coordinating Board in December 2018,
Welcoming the World Health Organization QualityRights initiative and its
comprehensive package of training and guidance materials on how to implement a human
rights and recovery approach in the area of mental health in line with the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international human rights standards of
November 2019,
Welcoming also the adoption at the Thirty-third International Conference of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent, held in Geneva from 9 to 12 December 2019, of resolution
33IC/19/R2 on addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed
conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies,
Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated,
interdependent and mutually reinforcing,
Reaffirming also that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,
and recognizing that these rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person,
Reaffirming further that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person,
the equal right to live independently and be included in the community and the right to equal
recognition before the law, which includes the enjoyment of legal capacity on an equal basis
with others, and that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment,
Recalling the general principles reflected in the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities, namely respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy and
independence, non-discrimination, and full and effective participation and inclusion in
society,
Reaffirming the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard
of physical and mental health, and emphasizing that mental health is an integral part of that
right,
Welcoming the work of the treaty bodies and the special procedures of the Human
Rights Council relating to issues of mental health and human rights, and taking note of their
respective general comments and reports,
Reaffirming the right of everyone to be guaranteed the full enjoyment of their human
rights and fundamental freedoms, without discrimination of any kind,
Deeply concerned that persons with mental health conditions or psychosocial
disabilities, including persons using mental health services, continue to be subject to, inter
alia, widespread, multiple, intersecting and aggravated discrimination, stigma, stereotypes,
prejudice, violence, abuse, social exclusion and segregation, unlawful and arbitrary
deprivation of liberty and institutionalization, overmedicalization and treatment practices that
fail to respect their autonomy, will and preferences,
Equally concerned that such practices may constitute or lead to violations and abuses
of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, sometimes amounting to torture or other
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,
Equally concerned also that suicide is the second leading cause of death in young
people aged from 15 to 29 years, and is among the top 20 leading causes of death worldwide,
and acknowledging that suicide attempts and self-harm must be addressed through prevention
strategies and support services that promote and respect human rights and fight stigma and
discrimination,
Recognizing the need to protect, promote and respect all human rights in the global
response to mental health-related issues, and stressing that mental health and community
services should integrate a human rights perspective so as to avoid any harm to persons using
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