Lifers Take Stand

In February 2000, following news reports of misuse and abuse of psychiatry in the People’s Republic of China, I lodged a formal complaint with the World Psychiatric Association.

WPA procedures call for an investigation of such complaints by its review committee. However, notwithstanding the fact that accusations of increasingly serious human rights violations in China are being reported, especially allegations that non-mentally-ill Falun Gong practitioners are being subjected to unwarranted psychiatric interventions including the administration of high-dose, long-acting neuroleptic drugs, the WPA has moved with glacial speed in addressing this problem.

Thus, it is most gratifying that the APA Lifers at its annual business meeting on May 20 unanimously adopted a resolution calling on APA to persuade the WPA to conduct its planned investigation of abuse of psychiatry in the People’s Republic of China without further delay.