CRPD/C/GC/5 43. When a State party seeks to introduce retrogressive measures with respect to article 19, for example, in response to an economic or financial crisis, the State is obliged to demonstrate that such measures are temporary, necessary and non-discriminatory and that they respect its core obligations.7 44. The duty of progressive realization also entails a presumption against retrogressive measures in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. Such measures deprive people with disabilities of the full enjoyment of the right to live independently and be included in the community. As a matter of consequence, retrogressive measures constitute a violation of article 19. 45. States parties are prohibited from taking retrogressive measures with respect to the minimum core obligations of the right to live independently within the community as listed in the present general comment. 46. States parties are under an immediate obligation to eliminate discrimination against individuals or groups of persons with disabilities and to guarantee their equal right to living independently and participation in the community. This requires States parties to repeal or reform policies, laws and practices that prevent persons with disabilities from, for example, choosing their place of residence, securing affordable and accessible housing, renting accommodation or accessing such general mainstream facilities and services as their independence would require. The duty to provide reasonable accommodation (art. 5 (3)) is also not subject to progressive realization. A. Obligation to respect 47. The obligation to respect requires States parties to refrain from directly or indirectly interfering with or in any way limiting the individual exercise of the right to live independently and be included in the community. States parties should not limit or deny anyone’s access to living independently in the community, including through laws which directly or indirectly restrict the options of persons with disabilities to choose their place of residence or where, how and with whom to live, or their autonomy. States parties should reform laws that impede the exercise of the rights enshrined in article 19. 48. The obligation also requires States parties to repeal and refrain from enacting laws, policies and structures that maintain and create barriers in access to support services as well as to general facilities and services. It also entails the obligation to release all individuals who are confined against their will in mental health services or other disability-specific forms of deprivation of liberty. It further includes the prohibition of all forms of guardianship and the obligation to replace substituted decision-making regimes with supported decision-making alternatives. 49. To respect the rights of persons with disabilities under article 19 means that States parties need to phase out institutionalization. No new institutions may be built by States parties, nor may old institutions be renovated beyond the most urgent measures necessary to safeguard residents’ physical safety. Institutions should not be extended, new residents should not enter when others leave and “satellite” living arrangements that branch out from institutions, i.e., those that have the appearance of individual living (apartments or single homes) but revolve around institutions, should not be established. B. Obligation to protect 50. The obligation to protect requires States parties to take measures to prevent family members and third parties from directly or indirectly interfering with the enjoyment of the right to live independently within the community. The duty to protect requires States parties 7 10 Letter dated 16 May 2012 addressed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, available from http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx? symbolno=INT%2fCESCR%2fSUS%2f6395&Lang=en.