Who is to protect the rights of hospitalized mental patients?

The 1991 Treatment of Mentally Sick Persons Act contains a large section on the rights of hospitalized mental patients. However, mental patients are often ignorant of their rights, have difficulties gaining access to outside support and are hence unable to materialize their rights and protect them. Who is to protect their rights? The various individuals and groups which play a role in protecting the civil rights of mental patients are listed and discussed: patients themselves, family members, human rights organizations, legislators, courts, the state comptroller, the media and therapists. The introduction of another institution, non-existent in Israel, a 'patient advocate' (ombudsman) is suggested and discussed.