Human Rights Institutions from 20 Countries Cite Support for Disability Rights
By Robyn Hunt (robyn@iecho.co.nz)
Representatives of national human rights institutions from 20 countries in the Asia Pacific region and from the British Commonwealth unanimously supported the development of a UN human rights-based Convention on the rights of disabled people during a meeting in Delhi.
It is one more positive strand in the growing momentum around the world as support grows for a convention. The concluding statement from the workshop was presented at the meeting of the ad hoc committee of the UN in New York during June.
As well as supporting a comprehensive convention, the concluding statement from the workshop made a number of recommendations to National Human Rights Institutions. These concerned their role at national level in promoting the development of a convention and the support generally of the human rights of disabled people.
Recommendations were also made to the UN High Commission for Human Rights, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and the British Council in relation to the convention and the human rights and participation of disabled people.
A particularly encouraging feature of the concluding statement was a definition of disability more in keeping with a modern rights-based approach. It included a move towards the social model of disability that clearly identifies the role discrimination plays in the lives of disabled people.
As well as hearing presentations, participants were able to strengthen networks, share information and experience and workshop topics relating to the convention. The workshop served as valuable preparation for those attending the ad hoc committee meeting at the UN in New York.
Delhi Workshop
The workshop was a partnership between the British Council, the National Human Rights Commission of India, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and the UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This partnership proved extremely successful, and may be the first in a series on disability topics.
Whether or not a convention is developed, the result of this workshop should see the human rights of disabled people firmly established on the agendas of the human rights institutions participating and the other partners represented at the workshop. The British Council, in particular, with offices and projects in many countries, plans to take greater account of disability issues in its work in the future.
(The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations. It is also involved in international development projects. For more information visit www.britishcouncil.org.)
Topics explored during the workshop included; discussion of the impact of national legislation and administrative practice, the role of national institutions in promoting the human rights of disabled people and mainstreaming disability - the experience of UN Conventions.
There were presentations on existing UN instruments relevant to disability, international monitoring mechanisms and complaints procedures, the nature and key elements of a disability convention and strategies for partnership development.
Regional participation
The presence of people from Indian non Governmental organizations and disabled participants from several countries provided a practical hands-on perspective enabling delegates to gain insight into the barriers experienced by many disabled people in both developed and developing counties.
Some sobering accounts of the situation of disabled people in the Africa and Asia Pacific regions were given, and particular concerns were raised about the terrible conditions for people with mental illness.
The contribution disabled people themselves make is beginning to be recognized and made an impact at the workshop. The value of their participation at national and international levels was acknowledged and encouraged.
As well as the main workshop a visit was made to a spinal unit founded by one man's inspirational vision. Participants could see first hand the way precious resources can be used to good effect.
The concluding statement, a comprehensive background paper and a full report of the workshop can be found on the Asia Pacific Forum web site and the National Institutions web site.
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