The UN Ad Hoc CommitteeThe UN Ad Hoc Committee

The International Convention on the The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

Opportunities for the futureOpportunities for the future

ContentsContents

Background on the ICRPD and its Background on the ICRPD and its drafting processdrafting process

Next steps for the ICRPDNext steps for the ICRPD ICRPD-related partnership ICRPD-related partnership

opportunities for the futureopportunities for the future

What is the ICRPD?What is the ICRPD?

UN international human rights UN international human rights treaty/conventiontreaty/convention

Eighth “core” human rights treaty Eighth “core” human rights treaty and will join:and will join:– ICCPR, ICESCR, CERD, CEDAW, CRC, ICCPR, ICESCR, CERD, CEDAW, CRC,

CAT, ICRMWCAT, ICRMW Elaborates existing human rights Elaborates existing human rights

in the context of disabilityin the context of disability

Why do we need the Why do we need the ICRPD?ICRPD? Invisibility of PWDs in int’l HRs Invisibility of PWDs in int’l HRs

system:system:– Legally binding instruments often not Legally binding instruments often not

applied to people with disabilities:applied to people with disabilities:– Non-legally binding instruments often Non-legally binding instruments often

not employed or resourced for not employed or resourced for effective implementationeffective implementation

Tool to achieve the MDGsTool to achieve the MDGs

How was the ICRPD How was the ICRPD drafted?drafted? 19 Dec 2001 - GA Res 56/168 19 Dec 2001 - GA Res 56/168

introduced by Mexico and introduced by Mexico and supporters established the Ad supporters established the Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) – a sub-Hoc Committee (AHC) – a sub-body of the GAbody of the GA

8 sessions of the AHC at UN HQ in 8 sessions of the AHC at UN HQ in New York from 2002-2006 plus 1 New York from 2002-2006 plus 1 Working Group session 2004Working Group session 2004

Who has been Who has been involved?involved? Guiding principle of the processGuiding principle of the process

– Full inclusion of all relevant stakeholdersFull inclusion of all relevant stakeholders Unprecedented NGO access at all Unprecedented NGO access at all

stages of negotiations (especially at stages of negotiations (especially at the Working Group meeting) and in all the Working Group meeting) and in all settingssettings

Educational process for all!Educational process for all! Positive involvement of civil society Positive involvement of civil society

established expectations for future established expectations for future activitiesactivities

What does the ICRPD What does the ICRPD address?address?

Cross-disability in approachCross-disability in approach Comprehensive Comprehensive contentcontent – both ESCRs – both ESCRs

and CPRsand CPRs Strong thread of non-discrimination Strong thread of non-discrimination

and equalityand equality Article on international cooperation!Article on international cooperation! Conference of States PartiesConference of States Parties NO definition of disabilityNO definition of disability Leaves no question that disability is a Leaves no question that disability is a

human rights issuehuman rights issue

What are the next What are the next steps?steps? Drafting Group to “proof” textDrafting Group to “proof” text Anticipate adoption by GA and Anticipate adoption by GA and

opening for signature as early as opening for signature as early as December!December!

Need 20 countries to become “States Need 20 countries to become “States Parties” in order for the Convention Parties” in order for the Convention to enter into force – hope to achieve to enter into force – hope to achieve this by the end of 2007this by the end of 2007

What is the relevance of What is the relevance of the ICRPD to partnership the ICRPD to partnership opportunities in the opportunities in the future?future? ICRPD prompts international focus on ICRPD prompts international focus on

disabilitydisability ICRPD establishes continuing ICRPD establishes continuing

mechanisms of relevance to those mechanisms of relevance to those working in field of disabilityworking in field of disability

ICRPD calls for data collection, ICRPD calls for data collection, research, international cooperationresearch, international cooperation

Implementation will require Implementation will require everyoneeveryone to participateto participate

Further resourcesFurther resources

UN: UN: http://www.un.org.esa.socdev.enahttp://www.un.org.esa.socdev.enableble

DPI: DPI: http://www.dpi.orghttp://www.dpi.org DPI Ratification Toolkit: DPI Ratification Toolkit: httphttp

://www.icrpd.net://www.icrpd.net