8 JUNE 2012 JONAS CHRISTOFFERSEN, DIRECTOR Opening of Conference on Autonomy and Self- determination co- organised by DIHR, FRA and Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration 1

 National Human Rights Institution since 1987  Disability mandate since 2011  Promote, protect and monitor implementation of CRPD  2

Core of the CRPD: Stronger protection of self- determination and recognition of right to inclusion Great challenge to realise these rights in practice in all EU countries, not in the least Denmark 3

DENMARK - INCLUSION  In Denmark, persons with disabilities have in many respects been included in society, for example through the efforts since the 1990s to stop using institutions as housing for persons with disabilities and also through participation in strong disability organisations  However, there has also traditionally been insufficient focus on the removal of social barriers. – Still too many children are excluded from ordinary schooling – Still too few persons with disabilities are employed on the ordinary labour market – Still too few persons with disabilities can use ordinary public transportation (to name a few important examples) 4

DENMARK – SELF- DETERMINATION Realisation of self-determination of persons with intellectual disabilities and mental health problems is also a big challenge in Denmark like in so many other European countries -Too great use of involuntary treatment in psychiatric hospitals in spite of the fact that trials show that involuntary treatment can be significantly reduced and even removed if will and resources are present -Limitation in right to vote linked to guardianship in violation of CRPD 5

Conclusion:  CRPD sets high goals  Great potential for change in all European countries, not in the least in Denmark  I hope this conference will bring us closer to mobilising will-power and knowledge needed to make the necessary changes! 6