1. Alternative reporting to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Module 7.2

2. Objectives Module flow
Understand the purpose and content of alternative reports to the Committee
Understand the process of drafting and submitting alternative reports
Civil society/NHRIs and the Committee
What is an alternative report?
Structure of the report
Methodology
Data collection
Content of the report
Tips for recommendations
Submitting the report to the Committee
Follow-up

3. The reporting cycle Civil society Civil society NHRI NHRI
STATE
submits report
COMMITTEE’s
follow-up
COMMITTEE
list of issues
STATE
implements recommendations
STATE
submits answers
COMMITTEE’s
concluding observations
COMMITTEE’S SESSION
Civil society
NHRI

4. What is an alternative report?
The main objective of this report is to offer complementary information to that provided by the Government for the [Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities] in order to offer some concluding observations to help towards the better implementation of the Convention
Alternative Report Spain CERMI

5. Methodology BUILD A COALITION INITIAL REVIEW OF KEY ISSUES
LEGAL ANALYSIS
DATA COLLECTION
ANALYSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
REVIEW BY CONSTITUENCIES AND FINALIZATION

6. Data collection Laws and policies Secondary materials:
Statistical institute
Ministries
United Nations and World Bank
National human rights institutions
Academic sources
Complaint such as court cases, complaints to the ombudspersons
Primary research
Quantitative – household surveys
Qualitative – interviews with rights-holders, expert advice

7. Example: non-discrimination
The Committee’s reporting guidelines request information on:
Ability of persons to use the law for protection against discrimination
Effective measures to guarantee legal protection
Policies and programmes to achieve de facto equality

8. Example: non-discrimination
The Spanish Government responded:
Legislation ensures full compliance with article 5
However, some legislation might need to be reviewed in the light of the Convention
Effective supervisory and sanctions mechanisms are in place

9. Example: non-discrimination
The Spanish alternative report stated:
Legislation is not in compliance with the Convention
requirement of 33 per cent disability
Supervisory and sanctions mechanisms are ineffective
No data available
No action on 10 complaints submitted
No regional coverage
Procedure is slow

10. Tips for recommendations
Be clear
Only one action per recommendation
Identify responsible actors
Make recommendations measurable if possible
Propose a time frame for implementation where relevant
Link the recommendation with a particular implementation challenge
Avoid vague or general recommendations

11. Example: recommendation on non-discrimination
The Committee recommends that the State party systematize the collection, analysis and dissemination of data, disaggregated by sex, age and disability; enhance capacity-building in this regard; and develop gender-sensitive indicators to support legislative developments, policymaking and institutional strengthening for monitoring and reporting on progress made with regard to the implementation of the various provisions of the Convention.

12. Structure of the report
Executive summary
Table of contents
Description of the methodology
Background information
Key issues:
Definitions, general principles and obligations
Substantive rights
Rights of women, girls and boys
Specific obligations
Recommendations

13. Submitting the report to the Committee
When?
With the State report
Before the list of issues
Before the constructive dialogue
Meeting the Committee?
The session prior to the constructive dialogue
At the session
How?

14. Follow-up Issue a press release Hold a press conference
Continue the alternative report coalition
Meet ministry staff
Meet parliamentarians
Meet United Nations country teams
Hold a national conference
Hold workshops on specific issues
Assist in implementation
Monitor and report on implementation

15. Sources Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Committee’s reporting guidelines (CRDP/C/2/3)
“Human rights and disability: alternative report Spain 2010”. Available from
Initial report of Spain (CRPD/C/ESP/1), (accessed 9 August 2012)