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.

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