A short introduction to
the Convention
Module 2
Objective
 Answer key
questions on the
Convention
Module flow
 What is the Convention?
 What is the purpose of
the Convention?
 Whom does it protect?
 What does it protect?
 Who is responsible?
 What has to be done?
 How is it enforced?
 Why is the Convention
important?
 What can you do to
support the Convention?
What is a convention?
An internationally agreed document that:
 Recognizes universal human rights
standards
 Identifies obligations on States to
promote and protect human rights
 Sets out national and international
monitoring and implementation
mechanisms
What is the purpose of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities?
To promote, protect and ensure the full and
equal enjoyment of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms by all persons with
disabilities and to promote respect for their
inherent dignity
Whom does it protect?
Persons with disabilities include those who have
long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory
impairments which in interaction with various
barriers may hinder their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others
Consider:
 Diversity of disabilities – physical, intellectual,
psycho-social, sensory …
 Women with disabilities
 Children with disabilities
 Older persons with disabilities
 Others?
What are the principles set out
in the Convention?
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Respect for dignity and individual autonomy
Non-discrimination
Participation and inclusion
Respect for difference and diversity
Accessibility
Equality of opportunity
Equality between men and women
Respect for the evolving capacities of
children with disabilities
What does it protect?
EXERCISE
Unlocking the secrets of the Convention: choose
a right and discuss
Who is responsible?
The State:
ministries,
parliaments, courts
Private sector
Health, teaching and
other professionals,
the media
Everyone!
What has to be done?
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Change laws and policies
Provide funding
Make goods and services accessible
Raise awareness on rights
Train professionals and others
Undertake research
Collect data
Monitor
Strengthen ministries, courts, national human
rights institutions (creating them if needed)
 Build State capacity to implement
 Build capacity of persons with disabilities to
claim their rights
How is it enforced?
At national level:
Government: for implementation
• Focal point
• Coordination mechanism (optional)
Independent framework: for monitoring
• National implementation and monitoring
framework
• Civil society
How is it enforced?
At international level:
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State reports
Convention on the
Rights of Persons
with Disabilities
General Comments
Concluding
Observations
Committee
Communications
Optional Protocol to
the Convention
Inquiries
How is it enforced?
Consider the roles of:
• Courts
• National monitoring frameworks
• Civil society monitoring
• The Committee on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
Why is the Convention important?
 Clarifies the rights of persons with
disabilities
 Sets out responsibilities to respect those
rights
 Requires a rights-based approach to
disability
 Promotes inclusive and accessible
development
 Ensures national and international
monitoring of rights
Participation of persons with
disabilities
Nothing about us without us!
What can you do to support the
Convention?
Sources
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Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
A/HRC/4/75
A/HRC/10/48
Department of Economic and Social Affairs; United
Nations Population Fund; Wellesley Centers for
Women, Disability Rights, Gender and Development: A
Resource Tool for Action. Available from
www.un.org/disabilities/documents/Publication/UNWCW
%20MANUAL.pdf (accessed 2 August 2012)