Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
As the principal United Nations office mandated to promote and protect human rights for all, OHCHR leads global human rights efforts, provides a forum for identifying, highlighting and developing responses to today's human rights challenges, and act as the principal focal point of human rights research, education, public information, and advocacy activities in the United Nations system. The OHCHR also provides assistance to Governments and assists other entities with responsibility to protect human rights to fulfil their obligations and individuals to realize their rights.
IDA maintains a permanent communication with the OHCHR, in particular its Unit focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities.
News!
Thematic study on the issue of violence against women and girls and disability
The OHCHR has recently published (March 2012) a Thematic study on the issue of violence against women and girls and disability, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council under agenda items 2 and 3, in the twentieth session of the Council (18 June - 6 July 2012). During this session, It will take place a side event to launch the report.
OHCHR Management Plan 2012-2013
In early 2012, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published its Management Plan 2012 - 2013, which gives special attention to combat discrimination, including discrimination based on disability. The Management Plan adopts, in general, a mainstream approach of disability rights, including for instance on access to justice and basic services for individuals and groups facing discrimination. The IDA Secretariat analyzed the OHCHR Plan and prepared a disability analysis document, which can serve as an instrument to monitor OHCHR actions to promote the rights of persons with disabilities around the world. The document specifies OHCHR's expected actions for the coming year by region and country and presents as an opportunity for DPOs to work with OHCHR and follow up on their implementation. IDA analysis. Once again the OHCHR Management Plan is unavailable in accessible format. Website of the Plan.
To date, the work of IDA with OHCHR has focused largely on contributions to thematic studies prepared by the Office.
Contribution to 2011 thematic study on participation in political and public life
IDA has recently submitted (October 2011) a contribution to the OHCHR thematic study on participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life.
IDA contribution and Thematic Study.
Contribution to 2010 thematic study on the role of international cooperation in support of national efforts for the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities
In October 2010, IDA made a contribution to the OHCHR thematic study on the role of international cooperation in support of national efforts for the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities.
IDA contribution and Thematic study.
Contribution to 2009 thematic study on national implementation and monitoring of the CRPD
IDA submitted in September 2009 a contribution to the OHCHR thematic study on national implementation and monitoring of the CRPD.
On October 26, an expert meeting was organised and Jan Peter Strömgren, Chair of IDA, was one of the speakers. Text of his speech. IDA also co-organised with the OHCHR and the ICC (International Coordinating Body of National Human Rights Institutions) a side event on the issue of co-operation between DPOs and national human rights institutions. Tina Minkowitz provided closing remarks to this side event.
IDA contribution and Thematic study.
Contribution to 2008 thematic study on legal measures for the implementation of the CRPD
In 2008, prepared a highly comprehensive contribution to Office’s thematic study on legal measures for the implementation of the CRPD. Then-Chair of IDA, William Rowland, took part in the panel meeting held by OHCHR in October 2008, which was part of the process that produced the study.
Many of the recommendations and comments made by the IDA are to be found in the final text of that thematic study, which provides useful clarification on the meaning of some of the most challenging elements of the CRPD.
IDA contribution and Thematic study.
