A Review of the Legislative Mechanisms Available to Protect the Social Participation Rights of People with Depression in the Asia Pacific Region

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a review of the legislative mechanisms potentially available to protect the social participation rights of people with depression in the Asia Pacific region.

Methods: Questions were sent to the SEBoD International Advisory Board and Internet and legal database searches were conducted to supplement responses from advisors.

Results: While it cannot be said that comprehensive antidiscrimination legislation in relation to disability exists in all countries in the Asia Pacific region, most countries have commenced the process. Many have implemented either human rights or antidiscrimination legislation and most have set up a Human Rights Commission to protect social participation rights and allow complaints to be lodged.

Conclusions: This review highlighted the difference between legislation and practice. While many countries have enacted laws, insufficient resources have been committed to support the objectives to realise the protection of rights enshrined in legislation. Additionally, many people may not know that the laws exist or do not have the money or social supports to fight for their rights. Many countries, however, have commenced a concerted approach to tackling the larger issues and have developed comprehensive action plans to address the social participation rights of people with disability.