Greece: Olympic Host Failing on Disabilities

Excerpt from Human Rights Watch: (click for entire article)

Greece should take action to improve the rights of people with disabilities, Human Rights Watch said today. Greece is the host of the Special Olympics summer games, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, being held from June 25 through July 4, 2011.

In a joint letter on June 14, Human Rights Watch and the European Disability Forum urged Health Minister Andreas Loverdos to take immediate action to address abusive conditions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at the Children's Care Center of Lechaina, including the use of cage beds and restraints to tie patients to their beds and routine sedation.