COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CONCLUDES ITS FIRST SESSION IN GENEVA

The newest United Nations human rights treaty body, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, today concluded its first session, which was held from 23 to 27 February at the Palais des Nations.

At the end of the session, the Committee adopted its first declaration, in which it, inter alia, declared that it would afford equal attention and priority to all persons with disabilities considering the specific conditions of those who were vulnerable, such as women; children; older persons; persons with disabilities in rural areas or in areas of armed conflict; persons with multiple disabilities; indigenous people; migrants and asylum-seekers and others. It also recognized the importance of an immediate transition from the medical model of disability (i.e. which considers that a person with a disability has something wrong with them) to the human rights and social model (which considers that there is something wrong with a society if it does not allow disabled persons to enjoy their rights), and would endeavour to provide the required support to States parties in realizing that important transition. In its declaration, the Committee further invited States to redouble their efforts with regard to inclusive social development for the full enjoyment of persons with disabilities and for the betterment of their quality of life and to refrain from letting economic and financial instabilities affect the achievement of that objective. It was highlighted that persons with disabilities were at particular risk in the current economic crisis and that it was important that States paid particular attention to the situation of persons with disabilities in the current situation.

During its first session, the Committee largely concentrated on procedural issues, electing a Bureau, starting to draft its provisional rules of procedure and organizing its future work. It also met with representatives of relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to discuss how to establish effective cooperation mechanisms so as to further strengthen and enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

The next session of the Committee will be held in October 2009 (on days still to be determined) at the Palais des Nations.

Committee Membership

The members of the Committee are: Amna Ali Al Suweidi (Qatar); Mohammed Al-Tarawneh (Jordan); Lotfi Ben Lallohom (Tunisia); Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri (Bangladesh); María Soledad Cisternas Reyes (Chile); György Könczei (Hungary); Edah Wangechi Maina (Kenya); Ronald McCallum AO (Australia); Ana Peláez Narváez (Spain); Germán Xavier Torres Correa (Ecuador); Cveto Uršiè (Slovenia); and Jia Yang (China).

Mr. Al-Tarawneh is the Chairperson; Mr. Könczei, Ms. Maina, Ms. Peláez, Mr. Torres and Ms. Yang are the Vice-Chairpersons; Mr. McCallum is the general Rapporteur and Ms. Al Suweidi is the Rapporteur for the Optional Protocol.


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