International Workshop for National Human Rights Institutions from the Commonwealth and Asia Pacific Region
The National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from the Commonwealth and Asia Pacific Region, consisting of NHRIs from Afghanistan, Australia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Iran, Republic of Korea, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Uganda, met in New Delhi, India from 26 – 29 May 2003 to discuss a proposal to develop a comprehensive and integral United Nations Convention to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
The workshop was hosted and organized by the National Human Rights Commission of India in partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, the British Council and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, international agencies and experts working in the field of human rights and disability also participated in the workshop.
Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Dr. Morna Nance, Acting Director, British Council India and Mr. Orest Nowosad, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the participants and invitees at the inaugural session. In their statements the distinguished speakers highlighted the important role of NHRIs in protecting and promoting the human rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and in the possible development of a proposed new United Nations Convention in this respect.
The workshop held nine working sessions relating to various aspects of the rights of persons with disabilities. It considered, inter alia, country papers on the Impact of National Legislation and Administrative Practice; the Role of NHRIs in Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; “Mainstreaming Disability” – experiences of UN Conventions (hard instruments); existing (soft) UN Instruments Relevant to Disability; International Monitoring Mechanisms and Complaints Procedures; The Nature and Key Elements of the Proposed New Convention on Disability – Perceptions of NHRIs and NGOs; and Partnership strategies for Action in the lead up to the new UN Convention.
Following detailed discussions on each of the above matters, the workshop adopted a statement of conclusions and recommendations to the Ad-Hoc Committee. The workshop strongly affirmed the need for the development of a comprehensive and integral Convention. It stressed that the Convention should be a ‘rights based’ instrument built on international human rights norms and standards and social justice. It should be informed by the overarching principle that all persons with disabilities, without exception, are entitled to the full benefit and enjoyment of all fundamental human rights and freedoms on the basis of equality, dignity and without discrimination.
The workshop also made a number of recommendations to National Human Rights Institutions, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and to the British Council.
A full report of this workshop will be available at the website of the Asia Pacific Forum www.asiapacificforum.net and the National Institutions website www.nhri.net.
The concluding address by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand at the valedictory session of the workshop is available on www.nhrc.nic.in.
The workshop was hosted and organized by the National Human Rights Commission of India in partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, the British Council and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, international agencies and experts working in the field of human rights and disability also participated in the workshop.
Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India and the Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Dr. Morna Nance, Acting Director, British Council India and Mr. Orest Nowosad, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the participants and invitees at the inaugural session. In their statements the distinguished speakers highlighted the important role of NHRIs in protecting and promoting the human rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and in the possible development of a proposed new United Nations Convention in this respect.
The workshop held nine working sessions relating to various aspects of the rights of persons with disabilities. It considered, inter alia, country papers on the Impact of National Legislation and Administrative Practice; the Role of NHRIs in Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; “Mainstreaming Disability” – experiences of UN Conventions (hard instruments); existing (soft) UN Instruments Relevant to Disability; International Monitoring Mechanisms and Complaints Procedures; The Nature and Key Elements of the Proposed New Convention on Disability – Perceptions of NHRIs and NGOs; and Partnership strategies for Action in the lead up to the new UN Convention.
Following detailed discussions on each of the above matters, the workshop adopted a statement of conclusions and recommendations to the Ad-Hoc Committee. The workshop strongly affirmed the need for the development of a comprehensive and integral Convention. It stressed that the Convention should be a ‘rights based’ instrument built on international human rights norms and standards and social justice. It should be informed by the overarching principle that all persons with disabilities, without exception, are entitled to the full benefit and enjoyment of all fundamental human rights and freedoms on the basis of equality, dignity and without discrimination.
The workshop also made a number of recommendations to National Human Rights Institutions, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and to the British Council.
A full report of this workshop will be available at the website of the Asia Pacific Forum www.asiapacificforum.net and the National Institutions website www.nhri.net.
The concluding address by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand at the valedictory session of the workshop is available on www.nhrc.nic.in.