Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets forth the obligations of States parties to protect and promote the dignity, well-being and inclusion of persons with disabilities, and covers such areas as accessibility, education, employment and health. It is one of only two core human rights treaties that contain a specific provision (Article 11) on the protection of human rights in situations of risk.[1]

Adopted by the General Assembly in 2006, the Convention enjoys widespread support in the Arab region. By October 2014, 18 out of 22 Arab countries had acceded to or ratified the Convention,[2] reflecting the growing commitment of Arab Governments to strengthen the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, including in humanitarian crises.

In recent years, Arab countries have taken important steps to implement the Convention, including the establishment of national coordination mechanisms and the adoption of national laws and policies on disability.[3] However, further efforts are needed in order to put policy into practice, and to ensure that rights under the Convention are made a reality, including in emergency situations.

“States parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.”

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 11

As the regional development arm of the United Nations in the Arab region, ESCWA works together with its member countries to support and promote the implementation of the Convention in Arab countries. ESCWA has collaborated with the League of Arab States and civil society to monitor implementation of the Convention and the Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities (2004-2013), and worked to build the capacity of Arab Governments to do so. ESCWA will continue to encourage and support the ratification and implementation of the Convention by Arab States, including through its upcoming chairmanship of the Inter-Agency Support Group for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IASG-CRPD) in 2015.[4]