International Repercussions

When the leadership of a society becomes corrupt, the vulnerable suffer and begin to die.

Ubuntu, representative of SA people with psychosocial disabilities, users and survivors of psychiatry, yesterday requested an urgent meeting of the Section 11 Disability Committee with the SAHRC. Member of the Committee, Professor Michael Stein of Harvard responded to Ubuntu, DPSA and the SAHRC with the following that ended his relationship with SA SAHRC:

"You are absolutely correct in requesting a meeting, and in fact you would be absolutely correct in demanding one.

The SAHRC was put on advance notice by you and your group in March, and even by me in person in March 2016, about the deadly and inevitable results that would happen if they stood by and did not act, and yet they chose to do nothing.

After more than a dozen years of supporting the SAHRC, all I can say is shame on them. Very sorry, but the Life Healthcare Esidimeni death warrant, as well as the inaction regarding CWDs languishing for years on waiting list to get to school, have put an end to our working relationship. I am sickened by both. Shame on them.

Please let me know how I can help."

We salute Prof Stein for taking this stand but are greatly saddened by the loss of this great long serving ally of the SAHRC. People with disabilities have lost an intellectual giant