The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities opened its twenty-seventh session, during which it will consider the reports of Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, Macau Special Administrative Region of China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and Singapore.
In her opening statement, Dina Rossbacher, Chief, Petitions and Urgent Actions Section, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that she was glad that the Committee was back in Geneva to undertake its critical work to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The 185 ratifications to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities showed the commitment of the international community to an inclusive and accessible world. Ms. Rossbacher noted that, during the session, the Committee would hold a public interactive dialogue on the situation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine. Moreover, it would continue to prepare its general comment eight on the right of persons with disabilities to work and employment (article 27). Additionally, it was working on Guidelines on Deinstitutionalisation, including in emergencies.
Speaking at the opening of the session today were representatives of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention’s Committee on Victim Assistance; International Labour Organization; World Intellectual Property Organization; World Health Organization; International Organization for Migration; United Nations Children’s Fund; International Disability Alliance; Disability Rights Fund; International Communication Rights Alliance; Saraki Foundation; Judiciary of the City of Buenos Aires; Down Syndrome Association of the Argentine Republic; and Disability and Data Partnership, University of York.
For summaries of the public meetings of the Committee, go to https://www.ungeneva.org
The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 August, to discuss the situation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine.
