1st Week Newsletter CRPD Committee 29th Session

The public opening session started at 10 AM CET and was held for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Following the representative of the Secretary-General, several stakeholders delivered statements before the Committee.

Mr. Vladimir Cuk delivered a statement on behalf of the International Disability Alliance. Among other things, Mr. Cuk expressed that “IDA is thankful and enthusiastic about the CRPD Committee’s decision to be ambitious in the process of developing comprehensive guidance on the many complex issues covered by Article 11 of the CRPD.” Mr Cuk further added “As the work on the general comments on Article 11 proceeds, we look forward to increased attention in this and future sessions on issues such as:

• The role of organizations of persons with disabilities in peace-building processes;
• States’ implementation of UNSC resolution 2475 in the context of Article 11;
• Developing standards on asylum claims based on a well-founded fear of disability-related persecution;
• Climate action and implementing a just and disability-inclusive transition.”

Read the full statement here. 
 

More than a decade later: A first for Malawi
 

On Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, the Committee kicked off State reviews with a constructive dialogue with Malawi. This was the first time Malawi was being reviewed by the Committee since its ratification of the Convention on 27th August 2009.
Various issues dominated the interactive dialogue between the Committee and the State delegation. Topics such as the delayed process of amending and enacting the Persons with Disabilities Bill, implementation of rights of women and girls with disabilities including the adoption of gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive laws and policies, freedom from abuse and violence and access to health including sexual and reproductive health services and information, were discussed among others
The Committee further noted the absence of an independent monitoring mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Convention, inadequate funding to the Malawi Human Rights Commission, and the ripple effect it has on carrying out its mandate effectively.   

A second for Mongolia: An audit to implementation of 2015 concluding observations
 

On Thursday 17th afternoon, and Friday 18th morning, the CRPD Committee held its constructive dialogue with Mongolia.
Guided by the 2015 concluding observations and other emerging issues, the CRPD Committee raised concerns about the lack of concrete measures to implement 2015 concluding observations, the low-level literacy levels among deaf women, inadequate sign language interpreters and interpretation on local television channels, and the lack of implementation of the 2016 Law on Persons with Disabilities.
The committee further noted with concern that institutionalization and violence against children with disabilities in special schools remain prevalent and the State is yet to fully implement an inclusive education system.

For and throughout this week, the International Disability Alliance provided logistical and technical support to ensure the participation of representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities from Malawi and Mongolia.
For Malawi, the International Disability Alliance collaborated with the Disability Rights Fund and Women Enabled International, who facilitated the attendance of OPD representatives from Malawi.
In the case of Mongolia, the International Disability Alliance, the World Federation of the Deaf, the Korea Differently Abled Federation, and Women Funds Asi facilitated one of the most diverse delegations. A record of four deaf participants, one woman, hard of hearing, and a 50-50 women and men with disabilities delegation, actively engaged throughout the review.

“What has been most exciting is our engagement with the CRPD Committee and the fact they had a lot of interest in the status of the implementation of the CRPD in Malawi. It's our plea to our government that they take this seriously, and the commitments that were made during the signing and the ratification of the Convention, have to be brought to reality. Persons with disabilities in Malawi must start enjoying the fruits of the CRPD.” 
Simon Munde, Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi, Acting Executive Director  

“The review process was a meaningful and empowering experience for DIWA. It allowed us to have a direct impact on the promotion and protection of the rights of women with disabilities in Africa. Voices of women with disabilities have been loud and clear throughout the review process. As a result, we feel more confident and empowered to continue advocating for the rights of women with disabilities in Africa.” 
Ruth Mkutumula, Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA), Executive Director 

MONGOLIA 

“I would like to thank IDA for giving me an opportunity to participate in the review of Mongolia and raise the voices of hard-of-hearing persons. Our diverse delegation had persons with disabilities from different backgrounds and constituencies and we were able to raise our issues before the CRPD Committee. We have learnt a lot of things and my knowledge of the human rights of persons with disabilities has been broadened. It was a pleasure to meet with many CRPD Committee members and beyond briefing them, connect and receive advice and guidance, which is key to our future advocacy”. B.Yumjirdulam, Board member of the Mongolian National Association of the Deaf 

“On behalf of persons with disabilities of Mongolia, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to IDA and KODAF for their support to representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, technically and financially, enabling us to raise the voices of persons with disabilities during the review. We all gained experiences in drafting shadow reports, highlighting priorities during informal meetings with CRPD Committee members, and the entire review process.”   
Ts.Oyunbaataar, Mongolia National Federation of organization of persons with disabilities

Active engagement of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations is key in the work of other UN agencies. At the sidelines of the session, IDA, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Human Rights and Disability Unit), held an information-sharing and sensitization session.
During the session, OPDs had an opportunity to share information on their national situation highlighting progress and existing challenges, and their collaboration with UN agencies. On the other hand, OHCHR provided information on its role and responsibilities, opportunities to contribute to the current theme on disability-inclusive care and support systems, and upcoming reports.