COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CONCLUDES FOURTH SESSION

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this afternoon closed its fourth session, which was primarily devoted to the discussion of its procedures and working methods. The Committee met at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 4 to 8 October 2010.

At the opening of its session the Committee heard an address by Ibrahim Wani, Chief of the Africa Branch at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who urged the Committee to take advantage of the unprecedented goodwill and momentum enjoyed by the Convention, and harness it for the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons. The Committee also heard from representatives of non-governmental organizations who said, among other things, that many advantages were to be gained through collaboration in implementing the Mine Ban Convention and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and it was also mentioned that a new initiative, the Disability Awareness, Rights and Education Initiative, had been launched.

The Committee held a Day of General Discussion on Article 9 of the Convention pertaining to accessibility. Over the course of two meetings, the Committee held three sessions on the right to access on an equal basis with others to physical environment and transportation and the right to equal access to virtual and material information and communications, as well as best practices on the implementation and promotion of accessibility. Speakers noted that accessibility was essential for the enjoyment of all rights envisaged under the Convention and underscored the need to move from identifying obstacles to planning for accessible societies. They recommended that the Committee produce a general comment on accessibility and several representatives from States, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations presented their activities undertaken for persons with disabilities.

The Committee also held several closed meetings in which its members discussed organizational matters and methods of work, as well as adopted lists of issues on States party reports.


The next session of the Committee will take place from 11 to 15 April 2011, during which it is expected to start considering reports from States parties.


For use of information media; not an official record

CRPD10/009E