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

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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“

4. 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

5. Level of legal inclusion Children Migrant Workers ICRPD Anti Racism Women Anti-Torture Int‘l Covenant on Economic & Social Rights (1966) Int‘l Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (1966) Universal Declaration of Human Rights

6. 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

7. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities & the MDGs

8. 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“

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 Disabilities Art 15: Freedom from Torture Art 16: Freedom from Exploitation, Violence .. Art 17: Protecting the Integrity of the Person Art 25: Health Art 26: Hanbilitation & Rehabilitation

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. THANK YOU!