Rights based approaches to disability Ruth Nortey Disability Wales

Presentation Aims An understanding of current international legislation How this legislation has been adopted in Wales and across Africa What rights are guaranteed for disabled people Why legislation is needed

United Nations Convention United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international human rights treaty Also referred to as the Convention of the Rights of disabled people Adopted by General Assembly in 2006 Came into force in May 2008

What rights are protected under the Convention? Equality before the law without discrimination Right to life, liberty and security of the person Equal recognition before the law and legal capacity Freedom from torture Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse Right to respect physical and mental integrity Freedom of movement and nationality Right to live in the community freedom of expression and opinion Respect for privacy Respect for home and the family Right to education Right to health Right to work Right to an adequate standard of living Right to participate in political and public life Right to participate in cultural life

CRDP in Wales and across Africa

Why is the Convention needed? Needs of disabled people often overlooked Strengthens disabled people’s rights Makes countries accountable to an international treaty allows for international scrutiny Ensures that disabled people have access to same opportunities as non-disabled citizens

Monitoring and reporting of the convention Each nation state must submit a report every 4 years to the Committee of the CRDP Disabled People and Disabled People’s Organisations have an opportunity to submit a shadow report The shadow report and government report are examined by the Committee ahead of the Committee issuing a ‘List of Issues’ which public officials will respond to in a meeting with the Committee.

Wales and the CRDP The UK government is currently undergoing its first periodic review Public officials will meet the Committee in Summer 2017 Disabled Peoples Organisations Shadow report and meeting with the Committee Welsh shadow report includes recommendations to the Welsh Government on how to improve protection for the rights of disabled people

CRDP across Africa 13 African nations have submitted an initial report to the Committee Sudan and Seychelles will undergo their first periodic review later this year

Any questions

Thank you for listening Ruth Nortey Email: ruth.Nortey@disabilitywales.org