The UN Ad Hoc Committee The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Opportunities for the future

Contents Background on the ICRPD and its drafting process Background on the ICRPD and its drafting process Next steps for the ICRPD Next steps for the ICRPD ICRPD-related partnership opportunities for the future ICRPD-related partnership opportunities for the future

What is the ICRPD? UN international human rights treaty/convention UN international human rights treaty/convention Eighth “core” human rights treaty and will join: Eighth “core” human rights treaty and will join: –ICCPR, ICESCR, CERD, CEDAW, CRC, CAT, ICRMW Elaborates existing human rights in the context of disability Elaborates existing human rights in the context of disability

Why do we need the ICRPD? Invisibility of PWDs in int’l HRs system: Invisibility of PWDs in int’l HRs system: –Legally binding instruments often not applied to people with disabilities: –Non-legally binding instruments often not employed or resourced for effective implementation Tool to achieve the MDGs Tool to achieve the MDGs

How was the ICRPD drafted? 19 Dec GA Res 56/168 introduced by Mexico and supporters established the Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) – a sub-body of the GA 19 Dec GA Res 56/168 introduced by Mexico and supporters established the Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) – a sub-body of the GA 8 sessions of the AHC at UN HQ in New York from plus 1 Working Group session sessions of the AHC at UN HQ in New York from plus 1 Working Group session 2004

Who has been involved? Guiding principle of the process Guiding principle of the process –Full inclusion of all relevant stakeholders Unprecedented NGO access at all stages of negotiations (especially at the Working Group meeting) and in all settings Unprecedented NGO access at all stages of negotiations (especially at the Working Group meeting) and in all settings Educational process for all! Educational process for all! Positive involvement of civil society established expectations for future activities Positive involvement of civil society established expectations for future activities

What does the ICRPD address? Cross-disability in approach Cross-disability in approach Comprehensive content – both ESCRs and CPRs Comprehensive content – both ESCRs and CPRscontent Strong thread of non-discrimination and equality Strong thread of non-discrimination and equality Article on international cooperation! Article on international cooperation! Conference of States Parties Conference of States Parties NO definition of disability NO definition of disability Leaves no question that disability is a human rights issue Leaves no question that disability is a human rights issue

What are the next steps? Drafting Group to “proof” text Drafting Group to “proof” text Anticipate adoption by GA and opening for signature as early as December! Anticipate adoption by GA and opening for signature as early as December! Need 20 countries to become “States Parties” in order for the Convention to enter into force – hope to achieve this by the end of 2007 Need 20 countries to become “States Parties” in order for the Convention to enter into force – hope to achieve this by the end of 2007

What is the relevance of the ICRPD to partnership opportunities in the future? ICRPD prompts international focus on disability ICRPD prompts international focus on disability ICRPD establishes continuing mechanisms of relevance to those working in field of disability ICRPD establishes continuing mechanisms of relevance to those working in field of disability ICRPD calls for data collection, research, international cooperation ICRPD calls for data collection, research, international cooperation Implementation will require everyone to participate Implementation will require everyone to participate

Further resources UN: UN: DPI: DPI: DPI Ratification Toolkit: DPI Ratification Toolkit: