DPI Disability Convention Daily Update – September 2, 2009
DPI Disability Convention Daily Update – September 2, 2009
Second Conference of States Parties of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
September 2, 2009 marked the opening day of the Second Conference of States Parties of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).The Conference will meet for two and a half days at UN Headquarters in New York, and will be attended by many of the countries that have ratified the CRPD, as well as a number of signatories and of course representatives of civil society, including DPI which is represented by DPI Chair Wilfredo Guzman Jara.The first Conference in October, 2008, focused on procedural matters, in particular the election of the first members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.This second meeting will focus instead on substantive matters.In particular, participating States will discuss legislative measures to implement the CRPD.
Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico, President of the Conference, officially opened the first session.Following adoption of the agenda, greetings to the conference were provided by: Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary General on behalf of the UN Secretary General; Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary General for DESA; Jessica Neuwirth, Director of the New York office of the OHCHR (who noted that the speed of global adoption of the CRPD is second only to uptake of the Convention on the Rights of the Child); Mohammed Al-Tarawneh, Co-Chair of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and Jan-Peter Strömgren, Chair of the International Disability Alliance (IDA).
The remainder of the morning session and first half of the afternoon session featured statements by Ministers, Members of Parliament and other high-level representatives from the countries of: Jordan, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Hungary, Thailand, Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, New Zealand, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Egypt, Qatar, Austria, Ecuador, South Korea, India, China, Italy, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sudan, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Cuba.These countries reflected upon their experiences to date in implementing the CRPD, and in particular their attempts to ensure that domestic legislation is consistent with the provisions of the CRPD.They highlighted examples of national disability strategies, and legislative & programmatic measures undertaken to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in their societies.They also discussed examples of measures taken to monitor the effectiveness of such initiatives.An important theme referenced was the need for governments to fully consult with people with disabilities early in processes to develop national strategies, so that such strategies reflect the input of those with lived experience of disability.A number of the speakers acknowledged that their countries are not yet in full compliance with the treaty, but expressed their commitment to continuing to work to realize the vision set forth in the CRPD.
As signatories to the CRPD, the United States, Swaziland, Colombia, Canada and the Netherlands also spoke.Many referenced their countries’ domestic initiatives to combat discrimination and support inclusion of people with disabilities.The U.S. indicated its strong support for the CRPD, and noted that it is hoped the U.S. Senate will “give swift consideration and approval” to ratification of the treaty.The Netherlands noted that lack of ratification at this time should not be interpreted as lack of interest in the CRPD or its implementation.
During the lunch break there were concurrent side events addressing the definition of disability, supported decision-making under Article 12, and the role of national human rights institutions and civil society in protecting and monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities.
The afternoon interactive roundtable on accessibility and reasonable accommodation was delayed by the overrun of the morning’s high-level discussion.The roundtable was chaired by H.R.H. Prince Raad bin Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, Vice-Chair Ambassador Gábor Bródi of Hungary, and the panelists were: members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury and Ana Peláez Narváez; and civil society representatives Anne Hawker (RI) and DPI Chair, Wilfredo Guzman Jara.The panel addressed a variety of mechanisms to achieve accessibility and reasonable accommodation. Mr. Guzman referenced three in particular: public investment, a UN CRPD support fund, and technical cooperation.The panel concluded with responses and contributions from States Parties.
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