OHCHR study on key legal measures for the ratification and effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In its Resolution 7/9 the UN Human Rights Council (hereafter the Council)

decided: “(…) to hold an annual interactive debate in one of its regular sessions on the rights of persons with disabilities and that the first such debate should be held at its tenth session, focusing on key legal measures for ratification and effective implementation of the Convention, including with regard to equality and non-discrimination;

and requested: "(…) the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a thematic study to enhance awareness and understanding of the Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities, focusing on legal measures key for the ratification and effective implementation of the Convention, such as those relating to equality and non-discrimination, in consultation with States, civil society organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities and national human rights institutions, and requests that the study be available on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner, in an accessible format, prior to the tenth session of the Council".

• Text of Human Rights Council resolution 7/9 - human rights of persons with disabilities To access the resolution click: English | French | Spanish

Contributions received

As part of the consultative process which guides the preparation of the study, OHCHR has sought written submissions from relevant stakeholders. The Office has received over 60 responses from States, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and civil society including organizations of persons with disabilities. To access their submissions click here.

Consultative meeting with stakeholders on legal measures key for the ratification and effective implementation of the CRPD (24 October 2008)

In preparation of the study, OHCHR will hold a one-day consultation meeting on 24 October 2008. Through this Consultation, the Office aims at:

• Present national experiences in the ratification of the Convention;
• Identify and discuss key priority areas for implementation of the Convention, with a focus on equality and non-discrimination measures in particular in the areas of legal capacity and education;
• Identify and reflect on the structure and role of national mechanisms for national implementation and monitoring;
• Identify and reflect on potential gaps and obstacles to effective implementation of the Convention at country level.

The consultation will take place in Geneva, in the Palais des Nations, room XXI, from 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00.

The meeting is open to the participation of Member States, inter-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, representatives from non-governmental organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities as well as other interested individuals. Representatives of organizations and individuals wishing to participate in the consultation must register with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights by 17 October at the latest.

To register, a representative should either fax or email to OHCHR a complete version of the registration form available which is provided below. The electronic mail address for registration is: registry@ohchr.org. The fax number is: 41 22 917 90 08 (please mark for the attention of Silvia Lavagnoli). OHCHR will then accredit each representative in time for the meeting. For more information on the meeting and registration form click here.

A concept paper and the agenda for the meeting will be available prior to the seminar on the OHCHR website. The working language of the seminar is English although there will be interpretation into English, Spanish and French. No translation of documents will be provided.

Documents:

• Registration form
• Programme of work
  

Stakeholders’ contributions on legal measures for the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

OHCHR has received has received over 60 responses from States, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and civil society including organizations of persons with disabilities

States

1. Afghanistan
2. Argentina
3. Azerbaijan Russian | English
4. Bahrain 1, 2, 3 [Arabic versions]
5. Bangladesh
6. Bosnia Herzegovina
7. Bulgaria
8. Canada
9. Chile
10. Colombia
11. Costa Rica
12. Croatia
13. Cuba
14. Cyprus
15. Ecuador
16. Egypt Arabic | English
17. Finland
18. France
19. Greece
20. Guatemala
21. Hungary
22. Israel
23. Jamaica
24. Kazakhstan
25. Lebanon Arabic | English
26. Mali
27. Mexico
28. Monaco
29. Nepal
30. New-Zealand
31. Niger
32. Panama
33. Qatar
34. Republic of Kazakhstan Russian | English
35. Republic of Korea
36. Republic of Mauritius
37. Romania
38. Slovak Republic
39. Spain
40. Switzerland
41. Thailand
42. Turkey

Civil society organizations

1. Association right to health (Georgia)
2. Association of Disabled Females (Liberia)
3. Bulgarian Helsinki Committee
4. Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (Argentina)
5. Faith and Hope Welfare Association (Bangladesh)
6. Federation of and for people with disabilities (Kenya)
7. FUNCAEDES (El Salvador)
8. Global Initiative for Inclusive ICT and Development
9. IDA-CRPD Forum
10. International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC)
11. Inva Sodeystivie (Georgia)
12. Italian Disability Forum
13. Krityanand UNESCO Club (India)
14. Landmine Survivors Network (El Salvador)
15. Mental Disability Advocacy Centre (Hungary)
16. Northern Ireland Disability Action
17. People Who (USA)
18. Prothese Disability Economic Empowerment Project Services (Nigeria)
    

NHRIs

1. Azerbaijan, Office of the Ombudsmen
2. Cayman Island, Human Rights Committee
3. Costa Rica, Defensoría de los Habitantes [Word Document]
4. China, Department of Hong-Kong, Equal Opportunities Commission
5. France, Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme
6. Germany, Institute for Human Rights
7. Ireland, Irish Human Rights Commission
8. Mexico, Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos
9. Nicaragua, Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos
10. Niger, Commission de droits de l’homme
11. Norway, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights
12. Paraguay, Defensoría del Pueblo
13. Sierra Leone, Human Rights Commission
14. Sweden, Office of the Disability Ombudsman