From:
Jim Gottstein <jim.gottstein@psychrights.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 8:45 AM
To: bishop@dowr.org
Cc: jim.gottstein@psychrights.org; lhubka@dowr.org
Subject: Please Intervene to Stop Your Guardianship Program from
Allowing the Forced Electroshock of David Russell
Dear Bishop Barron,
This is to draw your attention to your Catholic Charities of Southern
Minnesota guardianship program allowing the forced electroshocking of
David Russell. Mike Hanratty, the director of your guardianship
program
has said,
they would not petition to have anyone electroshocked against their
will, but has stood by and let it happen. Your own Catholic
Social Teaching
provides, “Only
if human rights are protected and responsibilities fulfilled, can the
human dignity of persons be respected.”
The United Nations has concluded Electroshock can constitute torture in
violation of International Law. See, UN Human Rights Council. (19
June 2020).
“Mental Health and Human Rights: Resolution 43/13 Adopted 19 June 2020.”
A/HRC/RES/43/13. Geneva: United Nations; UN Human Rights Council. (20
Mar 2020).
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment:
Report of the Special Rapporteur.
A/HRC/43/49. Geneva: United Nations; Méndez, Juan E. (4 Mar 2013).
“Statement By Mr. Juan E Méndez, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 22nd Session of the
Human Rights Council of the United Nations.”
Geneva: United Nations. See also the related
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Juan E. Méndez
(2013), A/HRC/22/53. Geneva: United Nations.
Your guardianship program is endorsing this torture of David Russell by
standing by when its objection certainly would have prevented it and
could now stop it. As the famous aphorism attributed to Edmund
Burke teaches, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the
world is that good men do nothing.” You should not be such a
person.
Frankly, I think your diocese should launch an investigation with which
I would be pleased to participate. But first, you must stop the
torture of David Russell being allowed by your guardianship program.
Sincerely,
Jim Gottstein
(301) 987-4466 (Direct)
(301) 363-9248 (Main Office)
Author of
The Zyprexa Papers
