HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL HOLDS INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH EXPERTS ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND ON PERSONS WITH ALBINISM

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a clustered interactive dialogue with Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, and Ikponwosa Ero, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.

Ms. Devandas Aguilar said that in the first year of her mandate, she had been trying to work with civil society as well as with different United Nations mandates and agencies. That had allowed her to share good practices with persons with disabilities. She had undertaken visits to the Republic of Moldova and Paraguay, and would be making visits to Zambia and Morocco. Participation was a fundamental principle of human rights and for too long, persons with disabilities had faced barriers to taking part in public affairs.

The Republic of Moldova spoke as a concerned country.

Ms. Ero said that her utmost priority would be to work toward ending attacks against persons with albinism, by working collaboratively with affected States in order to implement specific, targeted and practical measures for putting a definite end to them. She would also work on the establishment of a model of best practices which would help inform national policies on the issue.

In the ensuing discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities, delegations highlighted the importance of the participation of persons with disabilities in political life and public decision-making, also noting that persons with disabilities were and had to be considered full and integral parts of society, and therefore had to be put in an enabling situation to claim the implementation of their rights.

On the discussion relating to persons with albinism, delegations said that regional and national initiatives had to work in tandem to better protect the rights of persons with albinism from violations and attacks. Ms. Ero was encouraged to cooperate with other United Nations bodies and take full advantage of the existing international legal framework and promote the application of the relevant norms in order to prevent and punish violence against persons with albinism.

The following delegations participated in the clustered interactive dialogue: Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Kuwait on behalf of the Arab Group, South Africa on behalf of the African Group, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, Georgia, Portugal, Qatar, El Salvador, Paraguay, Nigeria, Ireland, Egypt, Pakistan, Mozambique, Tunisia, Cuba, Israel, United States, China, Brazil, Maldives, Switzerland,
Mexico, Austria, Australia, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Costa Rica, Spain, South Africa, Venezuela, Algeria, Sudan, Botswana, New Zealand, Belarus, Malawi, Congo, Panama,
Tanzania, France, Bahamas, Morocco, Myanmar, Burundi, Kenya, India, Djibouti, Swaziland, Somalia, European Union, and Iraq. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Children‘s Fund also spoke.

The following civil society organizations also took the floor: International Disability Alliance, Espace Afrique International, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain, Association Miraisme International, International Catholic Child Bureau, Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik, Global Network for Rights and Development, Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development, United Nations Watch, Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des Droits de l’Homme Raddho, and African Development Association.

Azerbaijan and Armenia spoke in right of reply.

The Council will meet on Monday, 7 March at 9 a.m., to hold its annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child. At noon, it will hold a clustered interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on foreign debt and the Special Rapporteur on the right to food.

Documentation

The Council has before it the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities (A/HRC/31/62).

The Council has before it an addendum to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities - Mission to the Republic of Moldova - comments by the State (A/HRC/31/62/Add.1).

The Council has before it an addendum to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities - Mission to the Republic of Moldova (A/HRC/31/62/Add.2).

The Council has before it the report of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism (A/HRC/31/63).

Presentation of Reports

CATALINA DEVANDAS AGUILAR, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, said that in the first year of her mandate, she had been trying to work with civil society as well as with different United Nations mandates and agencies. That had allowed her to share good practices with persons with disabilities. She had undertaken visits to the Republic of Moldova and Paraguay, and would be making a visit to Zambia and Morocco. Her office had tried to achieve inclusive working methods. She had drafted two thematic studies, one of which was on persons with disabilities’ participation in decision-making. Participation was a fundamental principle of human rights and for too long, persons with disabilities had faced barriers to taking part in public affairs. Opinions had been put to one side and preference had been given to third parties, health professionals and others. It was time for change. The unprecedented participation of persons with disabilities responded to the needs of the population and raised issues such as the full enjoyment of legal capacity and bans on the deprivation of liberty.

The international community had to foster consultation and close cooperation with representative organizations in drafting policies that affected persons with disabilities. There were two broad ideas: States had to consult and involve organizations formed and managed by persons with disabilities. That was why States had to create enabling environments. Registration procedures which were inaccessible had to be reformed. States had to refrain from needless obstruction. Having received worrying information about State reprisals, she said States had to promote capacity building, and consult and cooperate with persons with disabilities, and not just when drafting laws and programmes on the area of disability. States had to provide legal remedies for challenging decisions adopted. The right to participation required States to connect and involve civil society. That had to be guided by transparency and a wish to achieve consensus. The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals was an opportunity for promoting respect for persons with disabilities. On her visit to the Republic of Moldova in September, she noted that the country had made efforts to foster the rights of persons with disabilities.

IKPONWOSA ERO, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, said that persons with albinism faced attacks with machetes to cut off their body parts and remove their organs for trafficking. A majority of the victims were children. Those crimes were linked to discrimination and harmful practices that persons with albinism also faced. Preliminary studies had pointed at witchcraft beliefs as root causes. Reports of attacks had also highlighted the persistent impunity for those crimes. Persons with albinism fled their homes in fear of these attacks. The Council had rightfully responded to this issue through the appointment of the Independent Expert’s mandate and the adoption of resolutions on this issue. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights was also undertaking measures on this issue. The condition of albinism led to vision impairment and vulnerability to skin cancer, which killed most persons with albinism between the age of 30 and 40. Persons with albinism faced discrimination everywhere in the world. Mothers of children with albinism also faced stigmatization and abandonment from their communities.

Ms. Ero said that her utmost priority would be to work towards ending attacks against persons with albinism by working collaboratively with affected States in order to implement specific, targeted and practical measures for putting a definite end to them. She would also work on the establishment of a model of best practices which would help inform national policies on the issue. She would seek to increase awareness and visibility on the condition of persons with albinism, and to develop a credible and reliable body of knowledge on the issue by fostering research leading to disaggregated forms of data from all relevant research perspectives. Preference would be for research on best practices and on legal reform concerning witchcraft legislation. Later this year, she would produce preliminary findings on how to tackle witchcraft as a root cause for violence against persons with albinism. The most fundamental rights, including the right to life and security, should not be sacrificed in the name of cultural beliefs, and no one’s body parts should value more than their lives.

Statement by Concerned Country

Republic of Moldova, speaking as a concerned country, stated that the Republic of Moldova had made significant efforts to develop a human-right based approach towards disability. In 2010 it had launched a full-fledged reform in that field, and it had implemented measures under the new law and the Strategy for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. Even though challenges remained, the Government was committed to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights of persons with disabilities. Recently a moratorium on the institutionalization of persons with disabilities had been established. The Government had also worked to strengthen accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to economic, social and cultural infrastructure, as well as to physical infrastructure. Measures had also been taken to educate the administration and the public on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. The importance of international cooperation and capacity assistance should not be underestimated in order to foster full enjoyment of rights for persons with disabilities.

Interactive Dialogue

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, stated that it was an obligation and a religious duty to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, and acknowledged the inclusion of the special needs of persons with disabilities in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Kuwait, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, underlined the principle of participation in the realization of the full enjoyment of human rights. The Group had taken a number of initiatives to improve the rights of persons with disabilities at the economic, social and cultural level. South Africa, speaking on behalf of the African Group, welcomed the focus of the Special Rapporteur’s report on the participation of persons with disabilities in political life and public decision-making. Regional and national initiatives had to work in tandem to better protect the rights of persons with albinism from violations and attacks. Belgium supported the right of persons with disabilities in political life and decision-making, adding that it was a pioneer in ensuring their rights. It was necessary to delve deep into the causes of prejudice and discrimination against persons with albinism, particularly of women and children with albinism. Greece commended the promising steps taken towards collaboration with States and other stakeholders in promoting the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Greece would work together with its partners to ensure that persons with disabilities could participate in sports, and to create a barrier-free environment. Germany promoted the active inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in society. It asked the Special Rapporteur to elaborate on the best practices of participation of persons with learning and intellectual disabilities.
Italy said that persons with disabilities were and had to be considered full and integral parts of society, and had to be able to claim the implementation of their rights. Welcoming Ms. Ero’s first report to the Council, Italy encouraged her to cooperate with other United Nations bodies and take full advantage of the existing international legal framework and promote the application of the relevant norms in order to prevent and punish violence against persons with albinism. Ecuador said that the principle of participation was fundamental and was underpinned by principles of equality and respect for difference and inter-culturalism. As part of those principles, equality was included, and thus the participation was encouraged of groups which required special consideration such as persons with disabilities. Georgia asked Ms. Aguilar to share good practices on how different actors could contribute to promoting the involvement of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Portugal asked Ms. Ero, bearing in mind the priority areas of concern she had identified, to expand on the relationship between albinism and disability. Qatar said that with regard to persons with disabilities, it was necessary to promote a sentiment of belonging to and existing in the society. Qatar had taken many steps to integrate persons with disabilities, and as regards the constitution, many laws had been promulgated on the participation of persons with disabilities.

El Salvador had made progress on encouraging equal footing of persons with disabilities, who took part in decisions and whose rights in elections had also been promoted. The strategic objective was to ensure that persons with disabilities had access to transport and communications on an equal footing with others, ensuring the elimination of barriers. Paraguay said the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities had visited Paraguay last November and it had carefully examined her preliminary recommendations. Paraguay highlighted initiatives undertaken in this respect, including a secretariat for persons with disabilities. Nigeria believed in the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in decisions that affected their lives, including those concerning their rights, and agreed with the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur. It welcomed the first report of the Independent Expert on albinism, and in particular the scientific explanation of the causes and types of albinism and the duty of States to protect such persons from attack.

Ireland condemned in the strongest terms attacks perpetrated against persons with albinism, including the macabre use and selling of their body parts for ritual and witchcraft practices. It was appalled by the report’s finding that children constituted a large proportion of victims of such ritual attacks, and noted with horror the case of the discovery of the head of a nine-year old boy with albinism some days after his abduction from his home. Egypt said safeguarding the right for effective and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities was essential and informed that its new constitution compelled the State to ensure adequate representation for persons with disabilities in the House of Representatives and the local councils. The violations against persons with albinism highlighted in the report of the Independent Expert were shocking and had to be prevented and punished. Pakistan had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2011 with a view to ensure their social inclusion and empowerment. It had also formulated the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in 2002, and had adopted an affirmative measure which reserved a two per cent quota in all academic institutions as well as employment for persons with disabilities. Mozambique said international human rights law provided standards covering a range of issues, which went hand in hand with a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, participation and non-discrimination. To address the problem of discrimination against persons with albinism, the Government had raised a campaign to demystify the beliefs and erroneous perception about people with albinism, and initiated joint actions with countries in the region to prevent their trafficking.

Tunisia noted that its Constitution provided for the protection of persons with disabilities against all forms of discrimination, and their full social integration. As for the rights of persons with albinism, Tunisia called for the adoption of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to fight the causes of their discrimination and stigmatisation. United Nations Children’s Fund stated that children with disabilities represented one of the most excluded and marginalized groups in situations of armed conflict and disasters. It remained committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that all humanitarian action was inclusive of all. Cuba agreed with the Special Rapporteur that the entire United Nations system should be strengthened in order to ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in all decision-making. Israel said that persons with disabilities played an important role in nation-wide awareness raising campaigns. It expressed concern over ongoing attacks, trafficking in body parts and discrimination against persons with albinism. United States noted that participation, inclusion and non-discrimination were the key approach towards the rights of persons with disabilities, and persons with albinism. They should be included in all phases of humanitarian emergency and recovery planning. China said that persons with disabilities needed extra care and attention, and China actively implemented provisions in that regard. Everyone had the right to life and freedom, including persons with albinism.

Brazil warmly congratulated the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities for her engagement in the process of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The principle of participation was of paramount importance for the guarantee and realization of the rights of persons with disabilities, and in this respect, States needed to take all appropriate measures to eliminate barriers for their full participation in public decision-making processes, particularly women and girls. Maldives said that protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities was a key priority. The recommendation formulated by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to increase the public resources available for representative organizations of persons with disabilities should be implemented. Switzerland had redoubled its efforts to implement obligations deriving from the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and in cooperation with associations representing persons with disabilities, had initiated a number of measures to ensure their access and participation in elections. Switzerland inquired about the good practices that would facilitate access and participation public processes.

Remarks by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

CATALINA DEVANDAS AGUILAR, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, said that the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities was not necessarily an expensive process. Reasonable accommodation could be made at low cost in any country and was a fundamental process in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The principle of consultation was of key importance. The question was how to include persons with disabilities in the Sustainable Development Goals and to remember that the Millennium Development Goals could be achieved without leaving anyone behind. On the question on persons with intellectual disabilities posed by the German delegation, she stated that the acknowledgement of the legal capacity of persons with disabilities was of paramount importance. It was also important to ensure that services for decision-making processes were available in communities, as well as to have special services to reach out to persons with disabilities. It was not enough to open an office and bring persons with disabilities in, but rather to reach out to them, and provide information in accessible formats. Accessibility to information in all formats had to be promoted.

In reference to the question from the delegations of Brazil and Switzerland on how to reduce the existing gap in the use of internet, this was a question to be worked on with special agencies such as the International Telecommunications Union. Regarding the Italian delegation’s question on women, it was important to provide safe conditions for women with disabilities. Often the cultural context did not make it easy for persons with disabilities, and women were particularly vulnerable. The creation of women’s associations had to be aided. Women with disabilities had to be involved in all discussions regarding women. On the question from Georgia on good practices, the Special Rapporteur said that many States had shared their efforts. Finally, regarding access to justice posed by the delegation of Paraguay, it was fundamentally important to recognize the legal capacity of persons with disabilities and to give decision-making capacities to persons with psycho-social disabilities. On the question posed by the United States’ delegation on the best practices in the humanitarian field, a response based on the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that took into account the viewpoints of persons with disabilities was mandatory.

Interactive Dialogue

Mexico said that States had to create a favourable environment for the involvement of persons with disabilities in decision-making, and to allocate resources to support the work of organizations representing persons with disabilities, while respecting their independence. What role could the United Nations play to encourage international cooperation in that regard? Austria presented its national efforts to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, including through its National Action Plan on Disability, the Disability Ombudsman, the Federal Disability Equality Act and the Disability Employment Act. What concrete measures could be taken to address the vulnerability of women and girls with disabilities? Australia said that its National Disability Insurance Scheme set up an independent advisory council that provided independent advice on the issue of persons with disabilities. The Government provided funding to organizations representing Australians with disabilities, including women with disabilities.

Malaysia said that participation in political and public life for people with disabilities was a prerequisite for democracy, and explained that the Government of Malaysia had made efforts in this regard, including through the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020). What were the best practices to ensure persons with disabilities’ equal participation? Sierra Leone said that governments and local policy makers needed technical capacity and policy space within their national programmes to innovate and implement the participation of persons with disabilities. Turning to the report by the Independent Expert, Sierra Leone underlined the importance of addressing the root causes and holding perpetrators accountable through education on the rights of persons with albinism. Costa Rica said that it had brought its legislation in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and encouraged the Special Rapporteur to continue to look into links between her mandate and the international framework for the prohibition of anti-personnel mines.

Spain expressed hope that the mandate of the Independent Expert would improve the lives and rights of persons with albinism. The right to participate in decision-making was one of the pillars of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities so that they became subjects rather than objects of action. Hungary noted that its National Programme on Disability Issues 2015-2020 covered various areas from social integration through education to accessibility. It was convinced that the technology-enabled era should focus more on the new opportunities to provide a suitable framework for persons with disabilities. South Africa stressed that the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life was a core human rights principle. As for the rights of persons with albinism, it was important to raise awareness on their rights and to combat stereotypes, prejudice and harmful traditional practices and beliefs. Venezuela noted that its Constitution provided for the full enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities, and their full social integration. It shared the view of the Independent Expert on the need to constructively collaborate with concerned States to ensure the rights of persons with albinism, and implement preventive measures. Algeria strongly condemned discrimination against persons with albinism and the violation of their rights. It supported the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations regarding the full participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life. Sudan recalled the need to respond to the rights and needs of persons with disabilities, especially in the context of emergencies, as well as their right to participate in decision-making.

Botswana said States had an obligation to ensure political participation by all segments of society, including persons with disabilities, because that was the basis of democracy and inclusive participation. Support was expressed for the Independent Expert’s view that specific measures to end attacks against persons with albinism should include the sensitization of the judiciary and law enforcement officers. New Zealand asked the Special Rapporteur how best the United Nations system might promote the participation of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Belarus said that since 2015, voters in Belarus had been able to participate with stencilled ballots printed in Braille, adding that inclusive education was the most important mechanism in an inclusive society. Malawi said that the rights of people with albinism were guaranteed by the constitution, and it was troubling that instances continued to be seen of violence against such people. Malawi welcomed a planned visit by the Independent Expert. Congo welcomed the holding of the debate and commended Ms. Aguilar for the presentation of her report. Listing various domestic legal and other initiatives, it said activities with other mandate holders were welcomed. Panama urged the continued strengthening of the right of persons with disabilities to enjoy their rights. Given that Panama had issued open invitations to all human rights Special Procedures, it was indicated that the country was always ready to hear further recommendations.

Tanzania commended the work of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism, and said that it had undertaken several measures to counter the heinous acts perpetrated against persons with albinism. These included the appointment of the first Deputy Minister on Albinism, declaring June 13 as International Albinism Day, providing education and health services to children with albinism, and prosecuting those who discriminated against persons with albinism. France shared the view of the Independent Expert on the persons with albinism, especially in view of combatting all forms of impunity for persons committing acts against persons with albinism. It supported the Independent Expert’s work and called for the strengthening of cooperation among States on this issue.

Bahamas ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in September 2015 and had adopted robust legislation that sought to provide equal opportunities through addressing a broad spectrum of issues, including employment, education, housing, healthcare and public transportation. Morocco said that it attached particular importance to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, as its Constitution prohibited discrimination on this ground, while its legislation provided for special provisions for persons with disabilities. Myanmar said that it had adopted a development programme and a national strategy seeking to improve the situation of persons with disabilities. Myanmar was also committed to advance this issue at the regional level, through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Estonia said that new information and communication technologies, including online voting, could significantly enhance the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Burundi affirmed its commitment to spare no efforts in promoting and protecting the human rights of persons with albinism, including through awareness-raising campaigns and systematic investigation and prosecution of reported cases. Kenya said that it had promoted the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Kenya’s public life. The Government had also taken steps to protect persons with albinism, in cooperation with police forces and the media.

India appreciated the focus on the right of persons with disabilities to participate in political and public life. Persons with disabilities took part in the drafting of relevant policies and laws in India. International Committee of the Red Cross stated it sought to ensure that persons with disabilities affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence had equal access to protection, humanitarian assistance and information relevant to them. Djibouti expressed concern over the discrimination of persons with albinism, especially of women and children. It also shared the Special Rapporteur’s concern about the lack of participation of persons with disabilities in political life. Swaziland condemned attacks on persons with albinism based on witchcraft, believing that their body parts would bring them good luck and prosperity. Swaziland was falsely labelled as a country with a high rate of such attacks. There had been only one such incident in 2010. Somalia prohibited any discrimination against persons with disabilities, and their inclusion in public affairs was a national priority. It also extended full support for the protection of the rights of persons with albinism. European Union noted that participation was a key factor to inclusive societies. A comprehensive approach was needed to tackle the situation of persons with albinism, and to combat multiple and serious forms of discrimination against them. Iraq expressed gratitude for the statements of the High Commissioner and other speakers, and confirmed its own responsibilities that would lead to translating policies in favour of the special needs of persons with disabilities.

International Disability Alliance said that persons with disabilities were not all the same, but faced unique challenges and experienced intersectional dimensions of inequality related to age, gender, socio-economic status, indigenous or ethnic background and much more. Espace Afrique International said that thanks to joint efforts, attacks against persons with albinism had been brought to discussion. Education was the cornerstone to overcome and guarantee the protection of persons with albinism, and the Independent Expert was urged to put education at the heart of her work. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain expressed hopes that all Gulf Cooperation Council States would ratify both the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol, and implement legal reforms in line with their international commitments. Association Miraisme International said it would be useful to update the World Programme of Action concerning Persons with Disabilities with a focus that matched each of the objectives of the 2030 Development Agenda. International Catholic Child Bureau said that in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, the participation of children with disabilities was jeopardized by their institutionalization. The Special Rapporteur was asked to focus her next thematic report on the institutionalization of children with disabilities and on inclusive education.

Verein Sudwind Entwicklungspolitik endorsed the paradigm shift in international human rights law whereby persons with disabilities were not “objects” to be cared for but rather “subjects” enjoying human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others; however, this was not the case in many countries. Global Network for Rights and Development noted with concern that across Africa persons with albinism faced discrimination which impinged upon their human rights, including the right to life. In recent years, 130 people had lost their lives in brutal mutilations, while their limbs had been sold for as much as $ 70,000 on the market and were used to make medicines by witchcraft doctors. Maarij Foundation for Peace and Development strongly believed that an increased global effort was needed to ensure that persons with disabilities, who accounted for approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population, were treated with dignity and were able to participate in society as equals.

United Nations Watch condemned discrimination against persons with albinism, noting that part of the problem stemmed from widespread ignorance regarding persons with albinism. The world was still unable to cope with the ritual attacks which involved the dismembering of limbs of persons with albinism while they were still alive, as it was believed that their screaming would enhance the potency of their body parts. Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des Droits de l’Homme Raddho said an increase in the attacks and mutilations of persons with albinism had been seen in many African countries. Given the scope of these crimes victimising albinos it was essential to criminalise these actions by law. What strategies were being implemented to prosecute perpetrators? African Development Association, in a joint statement with, Victorious Youths Movement; Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs; and Comité International pour le Respect et l'Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples (CIRAC), said Morocco had made great progress in strengthening its legal arsenal to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, and had strengthened their rights in terms of health and education, especially after the new constitution. However persons with disabilities still faced major challenges.

Concluding Remarks

CRISTINA DEVANDAS AGUILAR, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, urged transparency in the use of recourse in connection with persons with disabilities. States were obliged to establish mechanisms to consult with persons with disabilities, and these persons could call in question the decisions taken. That should be done in all public areas, and not just in those that directly affected persons with disabilities. It was also important to develop further new information and communication technologies and use them as a tool because technology could greatly promote the participation of persons with disabilities. Designing new technologies should take into account accessibility for persons with disabilities. Criteria for accessibility had to be an ongoing requirement. The tenth anniversary of the Convention should be taken as an opportunity for the global ratification of the Convention. She reminded of some of the fundamental aspects of the discussion: clearly defining which organizations had to be consulted with, making an effort to support training of persons with disabilities who were traditionally excluded, valuing the expression of opinion from persons with disabilities, and ensuring that their opinions had to prevail over the opinions of experts and academics. States had to make efforts and had to formulate mechanisms in close cooperation with organizations representing persons with disabilities. The international financial support for persons with disabilities had to be stepped up. Without the direct participation of persons with disabilities, no progress on sustainable development could be made.

IKPONWOSA ERO, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, explained that attacks against persons with albinism could not be prevented without tackling the root causes. One of the major root causes was witchcraft belief, which was very difficult to define. It consisted of spiritual and supernatural beliefs that human beings could have the power to change the fortune of others. As for raising awareness on albinism, it had to be targeted to rural populations because they witnessed the trafficking of body parts. It was necessary to demystify albinism and aspects of witchcraft. As for the relationship between albinism and disability, almost all persons with albinism also had visual impairment. They also died from skin cancer. She encouraged States where attacks were occurring to deal with the issue in the short- and long-term, and to end impunity for those attacks. The role of civil society was crucial in dealing with the situation of persons with albinism. It had a role in reporting attacks and breaking the secrecy of witchcraft. As for engaging with the countries with a record of attacks on persons with albinism, Ms. Ero noted that dialogue was crucial. Practical steps also had to be elaborated to effect national action plans to fight attacks on persons with albinism.

Right of Reply

Armenia, speaking in a right of reply, responded to Azerbaijan’s statement about the Khojaly massacre, noting that it had distorted historical facts. Facts had to be established accurately about the events of February 1992. There was ample evidence that the Khojaly massacre had been organized by someone who wanted to control Azerbaijan, and that civilians had been used as a human shield.

Azerbaijan, speaking in a right of reply, refuted the irresponsible statement made by Armenia, the occupying power in Nagorno-Karabakh. It reminded that the Khojaly massacre was well documented by independent sources, non-governmental organizations and eyewitnesses. Armenian forces were directly responsible for the killing of Azerbaijani civilians.

Armenia, speaking in a second right of reply, said that Azerbaijan continued to distort the historical facts. Genocide did not happen overnight so how come that Azerbaijan characterized the Khojaly massacre as a genocide. Open attacks on Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh had started in the late 1980s, it was stressed.



For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC16/016E