A message from Professor Piyal Sen

I was appointed Chair of the College’s Special Committee on Human Rights in 2022.

I regard the Committee's work to be of fundamental importance to policies governing the practice of psychiatry and to its role in society. Its primary focus is national, though the College may also need from time to time to take a position on human rights abuses elsewhere when they impact on people with mental health problems.

After a face-to-face brainstorming day at the College in 2024, the SCHR has decided to take a more proactive role to champion some key areas with human rights implications on behalf of the College. This includes issues like coercion and capacity, working closely with other College committees on issues like sustainability and artificial intelligence, as well as with the Working Group on Victims of Forced Migration. We also plan to explore the human rights and mental health implications of violent conflict, another very topical area in the world of today.

We will keep people informed of human rights developments through this website and through publication of the newsletter. We have also set up human rights training through the British Institute of Human Rights for our SCHR members and others who are interested.

The future

I believe that human rights violations continue to remain highly relevant in psychiatric practice. In this enterprise, it is imperative that the voices of patients and carers, those most affected by such violations, are heeded.

It is important to be aware of developments in international law, like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, which can affect UK psychiatrists. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published its guidance on mental health policy and strategic action plans in 2025. The College needs to be aware of and respond to this development.

The rights of people with mental illness may also be challenged by social and economic factors. There are considerable global challenges in these areas, not only in the UK but also worldwide.

I am proud to chair a Committee with a highly motivated group of psychiatrists, my fellow Committee members, including a sizeable number of trainees, the future of the profession. I wish to thank them for their hard work and the motivation they provide for me to be their voice within the College and to the outside world.