3 October 2016, GENEVA
Today was the opening of the Human Rights Council's Social Forum 2016. This Forum is an annual interactive dialogue between representatives of civil society, UN Member States, intergovernmental organizations, academics and other stakeholders. The theme for this year's three-day meeting is the 'promotion and full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in the context of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'
The Forum was formally opened by H.E. Mr. Jorge Lomónaco, Permanent Representative of Mexico, Co-Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Social Forum; Mr. Carl Allan Reaich, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’affaires a.i of New Zealand, Co-Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Social Forum; Mr. Choi Kyong-Lim, President of the Human Rights Council; Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mr. Colin Allen, Chair of the International Disability Alliance. Read more here...
"Our societies must embrace our diversity in order for us to live and develop together. No single right that is allowed to other persons should be denied to persons with disabilities, including the exercise of our legal capacity - in respect of our inherent dignity. The CRPD is there to pave the way to this promise, including towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, its Goals and targets - and we are here to journey together in this shared future." - Colin Allen
The morning discussion addressed the theme of 'From Needs to Rights - Advances and Challenges', which was moderated by Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay, of IDA's newest full Member, the ASEAN Disability Forum. The panel also included a video message from H.E. Mr. Georgi Panayotov, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the United Nations in New York, President of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD; as well as Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Ms. María Soledad Cisternas, Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and Ms. Zhang Haidi, Chairperson of China Disabled Persons’ Federation. Read more here...
Saowalak Thongkuay
Side event on Universal Ratification
A discussion, organised in paralell to the Social Forum focused on a renewed global call for universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The side event was organised by the Group of Friends to the CRPD in Geneva, the CRPD Committee, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the International Disability Alliance. Around 60 people participated, with representatives from 13 UN Members States, including the Ambassadors of Iceland and Cameroon. The event focused on the value and importance of the ratification of the CRPD and to celebrate states that recently ratified this UN human rights and development instrument. Read more here...
Side event on Media and Persons with Disabilities
The Parallel side event discussed on 'Media and Persons with Disabilities'. This was convened by the International Disability Alliance (IDA), OHCHR, UNICEF, and GADIM, with support of the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the UN in Geneva. Read more here...
The afternoon sessions opened with a discussion of 'Persons with Disabilities and Human Diversity: Embracing Diversity and Awareness Raising'. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, a video message from Mr. Peter Ochieng, Chair of Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities Youth Council; and other panelists Ms. Heisoo Shin, Member of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Ms. Anna Lawson, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, University of Leeds; and Ms. Verónica Carolina González, a journalist specialising in gender and disability from Public Television of Argentina. Read more here...
The final formal session of the day addressed 'Accessibility and Non-discrimination: ‘Leaving No One Behind’, which was moderated by Ms. Anna Lawson, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, University of Leeds, with panelists Ms. Pratima Gurung, Indigenous Persons with Disabilities Global Network, Asia Chapter; Mr. Alejandro Marzo Pena, Director of the Cuban Association of the Deaf; Ms. Silvia Perel-Levin, International Longevity Centre Global Alliance; and Ms. Dena Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Assistant Professor, Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Read more here...
The Missions of Mexico and New Zealand, together with IDA, hosted a welcoming reception event for participants of the SForum 2016. Colin Allen thanked the participants and led celebrations of the 10 year anniversary of the CRPD, and the work of DPOs and civil society in working together with Member States and the UN in the progress achieved so far.
Tomorrow's discussions will include interactive dialogues on Strengthening Equality and Specific Measures, Meaningful Participation and Empowerment, Making Development Inclusive, and Strengthening Accountability. IDA will also be co-hosting side events on Persons with psychosocial disabilities and their rights under the CRPD – An open debate, Underrepresented groups of persons with disabilities, and Interpretations of the right to independent living worldwide: towards a General Comment on Article 19
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Further information can be found atwww.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Poverty/SForum/Pages/SForumIndex.aspx
Click here to download our guide with practical and logisitical information for the Forum)
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