Human Rights Council

Special Event of the Human Rights Council to mark the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

At its 8th Session, on 6 June 2008, the Human Rights Council held a special event to mark the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

The event focused on the human side of the Convention and served to illustrate how the Convention’s implementation may improve the lives of persons with disabilities in practical ways. Read the concept note

The President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Costea, opened the event with his statement, which was followed by the presentation of Mme. Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights, and 4 expert presentations on women with disabilities, accessibility, disability and poverty and on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

During the interactive dialogue the Vice President of Ecuador addressed the Council via a pre-recorded video message and other State representatives from New Zeland, Mexico, Egypt, People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation, Slovenia on behalf of the EU, India and Spain gave a statement. Equally two representatives from civil society and in particular of organizations of persons with disabilities took the floor.

Read statements of panelists

1. Ms. Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
2. Prof. Theresia Degener – Statement on women with disabilities
3. Mr. Luis Fernando Astorga Gatjens – Statement on accessibility
4. Ms Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, – Statement on poverty and disability
5. Statement on behalf of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and IDA CRPD Forum
(See also the Webcast video)

Read statements of State representatives

1. Ecuador
2. New Zeland
3. Mexico
4. Egypt
5. People’s Republic of China
6. Russian Federation
7. Slovenia on behalf of the EU
8. India
9. Spain

Read statements of civil society

1. Read the statement by Inclusion International
2. Read the statement by Landmines Survivors Network El Salvador [Spanish]