5 July the United Civic Front activist Larissa Arap (right) was hospitalized against her will on the grounds that she poses threat for herself and her surroundings. This matter brought forth a lot of  attention from the media and human rights organizations all over the world. The Special Commission suggested by Independent Psychiatric Association and created by Vladimir Lukin, the ombudsmen of the Russian Federation, concluded that her hospitalization violated her civic rights (15-AUG-07).

Written by HRH  Moscow / Inna Komar and Liza Benkovitch (intern)

Arap 55 July the United Civic Front activist Larissa Arap was taken by the police force to the psychiatric clinic in Murmansk, in a “nervous state of mind”, after requesting a driver’s license application. Not long before it she wrote an article called “Durdom” (“Madhouse”) along with a professional journalist. The authores described treatment modes of mental patients, put into the regional psychiatric hospital in Murmansk. There`re children and juveniles among the patients. They also mentioned the electric shock. After the article was published Lerise Arap was taken to the mental hospital.

 According to the United Civic Front members, Arap was not mentally ill and did not require any psychiatric assistance. Nonetheless, she was hospitalized against her will and against the article 29 in the Psychiatric Service Codex.  18 July the ruling of district court of Murmansk pronounced compulsory treatment of Larissa Arap because she “poses clear and present danger for herself and public.” 26 July she was unexpectedly transferred to the regional psychiatric hospital located 250 km from Murmansk, in the town of Apatita. 6 August the hospital administration addressed the court for a compulsory treatment continuation of Larissa Arap on the grounds that her current mental condition may worsen without supervision and psychiatric care.  While hospitalized, Larissa protested multiple numbers of times and even went on a hunger strike to end her compulsory treatment. In spite of her family’s pleas and promises to provide care and supervise her progress at home, on August 10th the city court of Apatita ruled for compulsory psychiatric treatment for an additional six months period.


Special Independent Commission
Lukin 300The case attracted a considerable amount of attention within the media and from human rights organizations. As suggested by the Independent Psychiatric Organization of the Russian Federation, the ombudsmen in the Russian Federation, Vladimir Lukin (right), created a Special Commission for an independent examination of Larissa Arap’s condition. In addition, the Commission evaluated the validity of her hospital confinement under the court’s ruling of “compulsory treatment.” It consisted of three specialists, who visited the regional psychiatric hospital, performed psychiatric examination on Larissa Arap and took part in her trial. Although the Commission concluded that Arap has a mental disorder and requires treatment, they also believed that her civil rights were also violated during her hospitalization. The Commission several flaws in Larissa Arap’s hospitalization process and the court’s ruling. Firstly, they found that her initial hospital confinement on 5 July was unjustified because she did not pose any threat or danger to herself or her surroundings. Secondly, the cruelty of hospitalization process was morally harmful and with use of physical force. Lastly, according to the Russian Law of Psychiatric Services, the court must carry out its ruling seven days after the hospitalization. In the case of Arap, the court’s decision was made thirteen days after, confining her to the hospital for an extra six days. Thus, these additional six days were not in accordance with the law. What is found to be most devastating is that from the very beginning, she was treated with psychotropic substances, which are known to influence the central nervous system and alter the brain’s function. On top of all, the psychiatric hospital is located 250 km from her native town of Murmansk, making it is quite difficult for her family and friends to visit. This type of isolation does not help to improve her emotional state of mind, making it difficult for progress. Finally the Commission believes that compulsory hospital treatment is not necessary and her condition is treatable at home with all the medical substances and personal care. The members of her family confirmed their readiness to provide the support and assistance necessary for her well being.

The Commission has decided to take further action and appeal the court’s decision.  Vladimir Lukin has promised to take the case of Larissa Arap under his personal control and support her in the next stages of her trials and the court process.