Human Rights Council

Special Event on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 4th Session of the Human Rights Council (March 2007)

At its 4th Session, on 26 March 2007, the Human Rights Council held a special event on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The High Commissioner opened the event, and her statement was followed by the presentation of Don MacKay, Chairperson of the UN Ad Hoc Committee on the Disabilities Convention, Sheikha Hissa al-Thani, Special Rapporteur on Disability, Monthian Buntan, President of the Thailand Association of the Blind and Lex Grandia, President of the World Federation of the DeafBlind, speaking on behalf of the International Disability Caucasus.

During the general debate many State representatives took the floor welcoming the opening for signature of the recently adopted Convention. Overall, delegations reiterated their support for the Convention and stressed the importance of ensuring its effective implementation and the role of the Human Rights Council in this regard. A number of States representatives explicitly stated their intention to sign and ratify the Convention as soon as possible.

Statement of panelists

Statement by Ms. Louise Arbour, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights [Word format]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Don MacKay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand and Chair of the   United Nations Ad Hoc   Committee on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
 Statement by Ms. Sheikh Hissa Khalika bin Ahmed Al-Thani, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability [Word format]
 Statement by Mr. Monthian Buntan, President, Thailand Association of the Blind [Word format]
 Statement by Mr. Lex Grandia, President, International Disability Caucus [Word format]

Comments and answers

Comments and answers by Ms. Arbour [video]
Comments and answers by Ms. Al-Thani [video]
Comments and answers by H.E. Mr. MacKay [video]
Comments and answers by Mr. Buntan [video]
Comments and answers by Mr. Grandia [video]

Statements of States and other observers

   1. Spain (as organizer of the special event)
   2. Cuba [PDF format]
   3. Germany (on behalf of the European Union)
   4. Mexico
   5. Morocco [PDF format]
   6. Croatia [PDF format]
   7. India [PDF format]
   8. Italy [PDF format]
   9. Argentina [PDF format]
  10. Japan [PDF format]
  11. Uruguay [Word format]
  12. Russian Federation [PDF format]
  13. United States of America [PDF format]
  14. Austria [PDF format]
  15. Bangladesh [PDF format]
  16. Malaysia
  17. Finland (on behalf of the Nordic countries) [PDF format]
  18. Republic of Korea [PDF format]
  19. Thailand [PDF format]
  20. Brazil [PDF format]
  21. Canada [En] [Fr] [Word format]
  22. Tunisia [PDF format]
  23. Czech Republic [PDF format]
  24. Indonesia [PDF format]
  25. China
  26. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) [PDF format]
  27. UNICEF [PDF format]
  28. Costa Rica [PDF format]
  29. United Republic of Tanzania [PDF format]
  30. Nigeria
  31. Honduras
  32. Algeria [PDF format]
  33. Sudan
  34. Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference)
  35. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Statements of Non Governmental Organizations

  1. International Save the Children Alliance [PDF format]

Statements of National Human Rights Institutions

  1. Comité International de Coordination (CIC) des institutions nationales pour la promotion et la protection des droits de l’Homme (INDH) [Fr] [Word format]
  1. Comité International de Coordination (CIC) des institutions nationales pour la promotion et la protection des droits de l’Homme (INDH) [En] [Word format]