The 21st Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) took place in Geneva from 10-28 September 2012.
More information on this session.
Analysis of resolutions adopted during this session that refer to the rights of persons with disabilities (of note, one on the human rights of indigenous peoples).
During this session, Dr Elly Macha, from the East African Federation of Disabled People, and representing IDA and IDA member, the World Blind Union, drew attention to the need to include women with disabilities in the post-2015 development agenda during a panel on women’s economic, social and cultural rights. Report on the panel and Dr Macha’s speech. This was the first panel to be made accessible to persons with disabilities other than the annual panel on the rights of persons with disabilities and there was international sign interpretation and captioning, which were webcast. In addition, the Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty were adopted. Regarding the UPR, a resolution on technical cooperation and capacity building was passed encouraging donor countries and UN agencies to take the technical assistance needs of reviewed States into consideration in the formulation of their bilateral technical cooperation programmes.
IDA conducted a disability analysis of reports to the 21st session. Of note is a report by the High Commissioner on the right to development mentioning disability-inclusive development and an accompanying fact sheet. The reports of the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation presented to the Council in this session also well included the rights of persons with disabilities (A/HRC/21/42, on stigma and discrimination, and A/HRC/21/42/Add.3, on her country visit to Namibia).
