​​​​OHCHR and the rights of persons with disabilities

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​​​​OHCHR and the rights of persons with disabilities

At its 4th Session, on 26 March 2007, the Human Rights Council held a special event on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The High Commissioner opened the event, which was followed by the presentation of Don MacKay, Chairperson of the UN Ad Hoc Committee on the Disabilities Convention, Sheikha Hissa al-Thani, Special Rapporteur on Disability, Monthian Buntan, President of the Thailand Association of the Blind and Lex Grandia, President of the World Federation of the DeafBlind, speaking on behalf of the International Disability Caucasus.

During the general debate many State representatives took the floor welcoming the opening for signature of the recently adopted Convention. Overall, delegations reiterated their support for the Convention and stressed the importance of ensuring its effective implementation and the role of the Human Rights Council in this regard. A number of States representatives explicitly stated their intention to sign and ratify the Convention as soon as possible.

Statement of panelists

  1. Statement by Ms. Louise Arbour, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
  2. Statement by H.E. Mr. Don MacKay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand and Chair of the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  3. Statement by Ms. Sheikh Hissa Khalika bin Ahmed Al-Thani, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability 
  4. Statement by Mr. Monthian Buntan, President, Thailand Association of the Blind 
  5. Statement by Mr. Lex Grandia, President, International Disability Caucus

Comments and answers

  1. Comments and answers by Ms. Arbour[video]
  2. Comments and answers by Ms. Al-Thani [video]
  3. Comments and answers by H.E. Mr. MacKay [video]
  4. Comments and answers by Mr. Buntan [video]
  5. Comments and answers by Mr. Grandia [video]

Statements of States and other observers

  1. Spain (as organizer of the special event)
  2. Cuba
  3. Germany (on behalf of the European Union)
  4. Mexico
  5. Morocco
  6. Croatia
  7. India
  8. Italy
  9. Argentina
  10. Japan
  11. Uruguay
  12. Russian Federation
  13. United States of America 
  14. Austria
  15. Bangladesh
  16. Malaysia
  17. Finland (on behalf of the Nordic countries)
  18. Republic of Korea
  19. Thailand
  20. Brazil
  21. Canada [En] [Fr]
  22. Tunisia 
  23. Czech Republic
  24. Indonesia
  25. China
  26. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  27. UNICEF
  28. Costa Rica
  29. United Republic of Tanzania
  30. Nigeria
  31. Honduras
  32. Algeria 
  33. Sudan
  34. Pakistan (on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference)
  35. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Statements of Non Governmental Organizations

  1. International Save the Children Alliance

Statements of National Human Rights Institutions

  1. Comit� International de Coordination (CIC) des institutions nationales pour la promotion et la protection des droits de l�Homme (INDH) [Fr] 
  2. Comit� International de Coordination (CIC) des institutions nationales pour la promotion et la protection des droits de l�Homme (INDH) [En]

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