NEW YORK, May 3 (UPI) -- At least 7,000 mentally disabled Croatians remain in institutions despite the nation's commitment to a treaty on disability rights, a human rights group said.
Croatia was one of 85 countries to sign the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities two years ago, Amanda McRae, a Human Rights Watch spokeswoman, said in a release Monday.
The treaty stresses the rights of people with disabilities to live in their communities rather than in institutions.
Other countries across Europe are moving toward community-based care and support while the number of mentally disabled people in institutions in Croatia is growing, McRae said.
"The trend in Croatia on institutionalization is in the wrong direction," she said. "Croatia needs to step up its efforts as a matter of urgency."
Under the treaty, Croatia is required to report to the United Nations this month about its progress in implementing the treaty.
