WBU FAQ SHEETS ON UN AND HUMAN RIGHTS
INSTRUMENTS
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (UNCRPD)
ARTICLE 17: Protecting the integrity of the person
1. What are the key elements of this article?
 All persons with visual disabilities have the right to respect
for their physical and mental integrity;
 No persons with visual disabilities should be forced to
change their physical appearance on the basis of their
visual disability;
2. Which conditions may violate this right?
 Forcing persons with visual disabilities to wear dark
spectacles to cover unattractive eyes;
 Forcing persons with visual disabilities to under go surgery
for removing eye ball;
 Forcing persons with visual disabilities to fix artificial eye
ball;
 Forcing Women/Girls with visual disabilities to not grow
their hair;
 Forcing Women/Girls with visual disabilities to undergo
sterilization process;
3. What actions are required to protect this right?
 Training and orientation to persons with visual disabilities
about their right to respect for their physical and mental
integrity;
 Facilitating persons with visual disabilities to make
informed decision during medical interventions;
 Motivating them to report instances of violation of this
right;
 Generating awareness among communities about this
right;
For more details, Contact:
Dr. Penny Hartin
CEO-World Blind Union
E. penny.hartin@wbuoffice.org
W. www.worldblindunion.org