The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has issued legal proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance, Cap. 487 in the District Court on behalf of a person who previously suffered from mental disability, alleging that an article published by a newspaper on 9 September 2006 vilified persons with mental illness.

 

The EOC has granted legal assistance in this case on the basis that it raises an important principle of whether derogatory statements and labels in the media could amount to disability vilification. By taking this case to court, the EOC hopes the court’s decision will remind the media about their influential role in shaping public attitude towards people with mental illness and in helping to prevent stigmatization which could trigger discrimination against people with mental illness.

 

 

Equal Opportunities Commission

15 July 2009