The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the MDGs

Dr. Mercy Onsando,

CEO, United Disabled Persons of Kenya

Marianne Schulze,

Light for the World

Brief History

• UN Int‘l Year of Disabled People 1981

• UN Decade of People with Disabilities

• UN Standard Rules 1992

• Durban Conference, 2001

• Resolution: Ad Hoc Committee

Scope of protection

„disability is an evolving concept, disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments & attitudinal & environmental barriers that hinders their full & effective participation in society on an equal basis with others“

„persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full & effective participation in society on an equal basis with others“

Principles

• Respect for the inherent dignity• Non-discrimination• Full & effective participation• Respect for difference • Equality of opportunity• Accessibility• Equality between men & women• Respect for the evolving capacities of children

Level of legal inclusion

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Int‘l Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (1966)

Int‘l Covenant on Economic & Social Rights (1966)

Anti Racism Women Anti-Torture

Children Migrant Workers ICRPD

Full & effective human rights

Spell out accessible human rights

Anti-Discrimination clause Civil society engagement at all levels „Discrimination is expensive!“ „A tool that requires exposure“

Full & effective inclusion of all

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons

with Disabilities &

the MDGs

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty

Poverty is a cause & consequence of disability

Persons with disabilities are overrepresented among the poor

ICRPD: „majority of persons with disabilities live in conditions of poverty .. critical need to address the negative impact of poverty“

MDG 2: Universal primary education

98% of children with disabilities in developing countries are not in school

Frequently children with disabilities are not able to contribute (in)directly to household economy

ICRPD: Article 24: inclusive education at all education levels

MDG 3: Gender equality

Women with disabilities are recognized as being multiply deprived

Particularly vulnerable to abuse

ICRPD: Art 5: Equality & non-discrimination

Art 6: Women with Disabilities

MDG 4: Reduce child mortality

80% mortality for children with disabilities (in countries where overall rate is 20%)

Vulnerability to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment

ICRPD:

Art 7: Children with DisabilitiesArt 15: Freedom from TortureArt 16: Freedom from Exploitation, Violence ..Art 17: Protecting the Integrity of the Person Art 25: HealthArt 26: Hanbilitation & Rehabilitation

MDG 5: Improve maternal health

20 Million women/year suffer disability as a result of pregnancy & child birth

Peri-natal disabilities can often be prevented

ICRPD: Art 6: Women with Disabilities Art 25: Health

MDG 6: Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria & Other Diseases

HIV/Aids, malaria & tuberculosis are causes for the loss in disability-adjusted life years in high mortality countries

1 in 10 children suffers neurological impairment after cerebral malaria

ICRPD: Art 25: Health

Art 28: Adequate standard of living

MDG 8: Develop global partnership

Article 32 - International Cooperation

Inclusive Development Persons with Disabilities included in all

phases of development programs Participation of civil society No ODA money spent on further barriers

THANK YOU!