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UN Programme on Disability   Working for full participation and equality

ADHOC COMMITTEE ON
AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Documents and contributions
NGO Participation

Statement

Informal Consultations

SECOND SESSION OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
New York, 16 to 27 June 2003

Mr William Binchy
Irish Human Rights Commission
Joint Statement on belhalf of
National Human Rights Institutions


Joint Statement of:

  • Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
  • Danish Institute for Human Rights
  • Irish Human Rights Commission
  • National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea
  • Mexican National Human Rights Commission
  • Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
  • New Zealand Human Rights Commission
  • South African Human Rights Commission
  • Swedish Office of Disability Ombudsman

The above-mentioned National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) wish to make a proposed substantive amendment to paragraph 2 of the 'Revised Draft Decision' of 25 June 2003 developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integrated International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.

Together with NGOs, NHRIs were specifically invited to participate in the Ad Hoc Committee's deliberations. NHRIs can offer expertise in human rights protection. Operating under the Paris Principles, they have complete independence from government. Furthermore, NHRIs have a specific commitment to the issue of disability in the context of human rights.

NHRIs believe that it would weaken the composition of the proposed Inter-sessional Working Group if NHRIs were not represented on it.

It is important to stress that NHRIs are not proposing to subtract from NGO representation on the Working Group in any way. The role of NGOs is vital. What we are proposing is that NHRIs also be represented on the Working Group. Otherwise NHRIs will be the only participants present at the Ad Hoc Committee Meeting not to be represented on the Working Group.

NHRIs believe that it would be a mistake to forget us in view of the commitment of NHRIs to the protection of human rights throughout the world.

25 June 2003

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