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Abstract: 

The Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, wrote in 1832, “There is hardly ever a political question in the United States which does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one.” The role of the courts in American society seems to be a perennial source of political debate and dispute. Wherever one stands on this debate about activist courts, there is little question but that Americans have become used to the idea of resorting to the courts to correct egregious violations of individual rights. In the area of rights of individuals with mental disabilities, cases like Willowbrook, Wyatt, and Pennhurst succeeded not only in remedying the abuses that occurred within the institutions but also eventually altered public policy to reduce reliance upon closed institutions as the primary governmental response to the needs of the people with mental disabilities. As has been reported in previous articles, abusive institutions housing people with mental disabilities are commonly found all over the world. This article discusses an apposite case in Paraguay.

Keywords: Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Paraguay; Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

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