Brazilian Advocacy Group Recognized for its work on Human Rights
 

The Brazilian government officially recognized and accepted the Human Rights demands presented by the patient advocacy group "Projeto Fênix: National Pro-Mental Health Association". This came after intensive efforts developed by the Association in a grassroots National Campaign for the Human and Civil Rights of Individuals Suffering from Mental Illnesses.

Projeto Fênix`s most recent Newsletter published an official notice delivered by the Brazilian Health Ministry guaranteeing government support for the primary demand Projeto Fênix presented in its Campaign -- the mandatory review of all involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations. The notice went on to promise to rewrite currently proposed mental health legislation respecting other demands of the group

The campaign, which was launched in July 1999, focused on the need for recognition of the rights of individuals including those basic rights recognized by the United Nations, prior to the acceptance of any new legislation.  When the campaign was launched Projeto Fênix picked one specific, important issue, the mandatory review of all the involuntary hospitalizations, in order to obtain maximum impact on legislators.

The movement was also targeted to place Projeto Fênix, a new organization (3 years old), in a position to be influential in the debates concerning a psychiatric reforms bill that is currently being proposed in the Brazilian legislature and has been in debate in the Brazilian Congress for more than 10 years.  According to Luiz Barros, President of Projeto Fênix, "The greatest illusion within the current debate is that you can, with two sheets of paper and a half a dozen rules, break the deadlock within psychiatry and guarantee the integrity of our rights.  It's a cruel illusion because it implies poorly defined rights, created from political negotiation, and without any guarantees."

An effective lobby and thousands of signatures prompted the Congressman Carlos Mosconi, Chairman of the committee developing the new legislation, to invite "Projeto Fênix" to formalize their ideas in Brasilia.  After an official meeting in the House of Representatives with "Projeto Fenix" leadership, the congressman proposed that the Association officially present all of its suggestions to the Committee, which they did -- an extensive "Technical Proposal" was developed and delivered to the Brazilian Congress members.  The proposal was then made available to the general public on the Association's website can be found (in Portuguese) at www.fenix.org.br.

"What differentiates this work from all of the other proposals presented over the last 10 years," says Barros, "is the fact that it was originally written by the very individuals whose rights are in question - those members of our Association who suffer from mental illness.  Once completed it was then reviewed by both family members and psychiatrists from major Brazilian Universities, as well as professionals from various other areas, all of whom undersigned this document.  There is no political interest involved in the report, just a clear lay-out of basic human rights, as defined by the United Nations and even our own Brazilian Constitution."

For those interested, Projeto Fênix (fenix@fenix.org.br) has a 10 page written report in English available upon written request.  The report contains the strategic planning involved and an executive summary of the campaign, which was based on ICT (Innovative Communications Technologies). The Association requests, however, that the contents only be utilized by and for those interested in the development of advocacy initiatives regarding human and civil rights around the world.

Major International as well as Brazilian corporations and institutions are active sponsors of the Projeto Fênix, such as Ashoka - Innovator for the Public, Eli and Lilly Co., Novartis, CPTM - São Paulo Metropolitan Train Company and Ernst & Young.

The Association needs new sponsorships to keep up the intensive path of its achievements. We count on you to spread the word around.  Projeto Fênix, with the professional assistance of Ernst & Young auditing, guarantee every amount donated -- by individuals or institutional sponsors -- will be used to the benefit of the mentally ill persons in Brazil.  Please contact fenix@fenix.org.br if you are able to help us in any way.