Dear Friends,
After about one year since the United Nations found the UK in severe systematic violations of human rights www.thecanary.co/uk/2017/08/24/breaking-un-just-accused-tories-creating-human-catastrophe-uk/, last week the first ever Global Disability Summit was co-hosted by the UK Government, the International Disability Alliance and the Government of Kenya. A Civil Society Statement has been released www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/cs-statement
A series of responses circulated before, during and after the Global Summit took place.
An open letter was sent by DPAC and allies to some of the Speakers dpac.uk.net/2018/07/open-letter-to-some-of-those-attending-the-global-summit/
Among others, the LGBTQI organisation Regard condemned the choice of the UK Gov. partnering with the Kenya Gov. for the Global Summit, since it is considered illegal to be gay in Kenya and abuses are common place regard.org.uk/global-disability-summit/
On 22nd July Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) & Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA), hosted the International Deaf and Disabled People’s Solidarity Summit in East London, to highlight the hypocrisy of the UK government’s decision to co-host the Global Summit www.disabledgo.com/blog/2018/07/rival-international-summit-aims-to-highlight-governments-global-hypocrisy/
After about one year since the United Nations found the UK in severe systematic violations of human rights www.thecanary.co/uk/2017/08/24/breaking-un-just-accused-tories-creating-human-catastrophe-uk/, last week the first ever Global Disability Summit was co-hosted by the UK Government, the International Disability Alliance and the Government of Kenya. A Civil Society Statement has been released www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/cs-statement
A series of responses circulated before, during and after the Global Summit took place.
An open letter was sent by DPAC and allies to some of the Speakers dpac.uk.net/2018/07/open-letter-to-some-of-those-attending-the-global-summit/
Among others, the LGBTQI organisation Regard condemned the choice of the UK Gov. partnering with the Kenya Gov. for the Global Summit, since it is considered illegal to be gay in Kenya and abuses are common place regard.org.uk/global-disability-summit/
On 22nd July Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) & Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA), hosted the International Deaf and Disabled People’s Solidarity Summit in East London, to highlight the hypocrisy of the UK government’s decision to co-host the Global Summit www.disabledgo.com/blog/2018/07/rival-international-summit-aims-to-highlight-governments-global-hypocrisy/
DPAC also organised the Festival of Resistance, with allies, gathering in a peaceful protest, with banners, music and poetry, in front of Here East, where the Summit was taking place on 24 July www.disabilitynewsservice.com/global-disability-summit-dpacs-protest-festival-highlights-government-hypocrisy/
The UK government still has to provide a detailed response to the UN Committee’s over 80 recommendations: not exactly a World leader on disability, as Labour MP for Battersea, Marsha de Cordova reports www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/global-disability-summit_uk_5b56ce5ee4b0b15aba91dc48?17
More on the Global Disability Summit:
- John McDonnell: Solidarity to DPAC & Allies www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm6etvurCIw
- Tories accused of hypocrisy re-Summit www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-u_2LRVdAE
- Global Disability Summit 2018 postscript www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2018/july/global-disability-summit-2018
- Mordaunt defends co-host Kenya despite its gay rights record www.disabilitynewsservice.com/global-disability-summit-mordaunt-defends-co-host-kenya-despite-its-gay-rights-record/
- Rival summit hears of international fight against oppression dpac.uk.net/2018/07/global-disability-summit-rival-summit-hears-of-international-fight-against-oppression/
Please find here the notes shared by NSUN representatives after their meeting with the MHA Review Chair and Vice Chairs, that took place last month (13/07). People are now invited to send suggestions for each response that NSUN will be sending to the leaders of the main political parties, the All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and replying further to the Review Chair and Vice Chairs. Questions can be found at the bottom of the notes in the link. Send replies/suggestions to Dorothy Gould (gould.dorothy@gmail.com), copying it to Sarah Yiannoullou also (sarah.yiannoullou@nsun.org.uk) by Thu 16 August 2018
Next monthly FEEL meeting is taking place on Monday 20th August at LARC.
Do join us and find more info/event below, starting with the MHRN docu/film later today.
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by MHRN:
Thu 3rd August, 7pm at The Field, 385 Queen's Road, New Cross, SE14 5HD
Join the film screening:
"Hands2Mouth: Caring for claimants on Universal Credits", followed by a discussion
Facebook : www.facebook.com/MHResist/
website : www.mentalhealthresistance.org
email : hello@mentalhealthresistance.org
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Universal Credit – how is it for you?
Evidence needed for the SSAC’s consultation
Inclusion London is sending written evidence to the Social Security Advisory Committee’s consultation on proposals to move all people claiming working age income-related benefits to Universal Credit (UC)
dpac.uk.net/2018/07/universal-credit-how-is-it-for-you-evidence-needed-for-the-ssacs-consultation/
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UN Rapporteur seeks views on UK poverty and human rights.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, will undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 6 to 16 November 2018 at the invitation of the UK Government. His visit will focus, in accordance with his mandate, on the interlinkages between poverty and the realisation of human rights in the United Kingdom. Written submissions can be sent until Friday 14 September at 18:00 www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/Pages/CallforinputUK.aspxNational
Public Survey on Ethnic Inequalities and Severe Mental Illness: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/synergipublicsurvey
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Survivor's Poetry (every second Thursday of the month)
Thu 9th Aug 8– 10.30pm. Arrive 7.30pm to sign up for floorspots (1.50 floorspots / 2.50 concessions / 3.50 the full ticket)The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton St, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9BX
An evening of Poetry and song. MC Dave Russell. Featuring Richard Downes.
Survivors' Poetry was established in 1991 and holds a space unreservedly for all adult Survivors to share their material without censorship with a very supportive audience, most of whom are published poets themselves. It's a very special night and it can be extremely empowering to share your poem/s with people who all 'get'you, so come on down and try it out!'
Facebook: Survivor's Poetry Gigs
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One in Four: Mental Illness Examined Through Art,
by artists Laura Greenway and Carlie Simpkin
14 - 18 August, 12-6pm, Lewisham Arthouse, 140 Lewisham Way, London, SE14 6PD - Free entry
The show provides an intimate look into the lives of those affected by psychiatric disorders, and aims to start a much needed and essential conversation about mental illness. disabilityarts.online/events/laura-greenway-carlie-simpkin-present-one-four-mental-illness-examined-art-lewisham-arthouse-london/
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4.48 psychosis, written by Sarah Kane
18th Sept - 13th Oct, New Diorama Theatre, 15-16 Triton St, London, NW1 3BF
Also at Derby Theatre on 19th and 20th October 2018
Award-winning Deafinitely Theatre bring its celebrated bilingual approach to Sarah Kane’s lyrical and haunting final play about mental health. Directed by Paula Garfield, 4.48 Psychosis is performed in British Sign Language and spoken English for the very first time www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk/Event/448-psychosis
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The Unveiling of a new Gravestone, by the William Blake Society
Sunday 12 August 2018 at 3 pm Bunhill Fields, 38 City Road London EC1Y 1AU
Also share a pic-nic and poetry with the William Blake Congregation from 12noon
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Maastricht World Survey On Antipsychotic Medication Withdrawal
Have you taken antipsychotic medication (such as Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify, Risperdal, Haldol, Geodon, Stelazine, and others), for any condition or diagnosis, with or without other medications? (For a list of antipsychotics, also known as neuroleptics or major tranquillisers, click here.) And did you ever stop taking antipsychotics, or try to stop taking them? Are you 18 years or older? If yes, you can take this survey about antipsychotic withdrawal and attempts to withdraw, including if you stopped taking them completely or if you tried to come off and still take them. The survey aims to improve mental health services by better understanding medication withdrawal. Any questions? Please contact will.hall@maastrichtuniversity.nl, +1 (413) 210-2803
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Open access to a full menu of services:
Public submission to the Mental Health Inquiry (Petition)
Wellbeing Manifesto for Aotearoa New Zealand
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Alternatives to detention/sectioning under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Can you help with suggestions? If you are able to help, please can you send information to Dorothy Gould at gould.dorothy@gmail.com.
More info here: www.nsun.org.uk/news/alternatives-to-detentionsectioning-under-the-mental-health-act-1983-can-you-help-with-suggestions
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Forced Psychiatry Call for Submissions to a New Anthology!
Genres accepted are: Essays, personal essays, poetry, fiction, memoir, dramatic writing, mixed, experimental, short forms, prose poem. Submissions open from August 1, 2018 until January 31, 2019. Publishing in the summer of 2019. forcedpsychiatry.com/wp/
