Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities, UNICEF
Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities, UNICEF
Promoting the Rights of Children with Disabilities, UNICEF
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Monitoring implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ConventionIn order for <strong>the</strong> Convention to have a positive impacton <strong>the</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> persons <strong>with</strong> disabilitiesand on society as a whole, effective proceduresare required for its implementation at <strong>the</strong> nationallevel. The roles and responsibilities <strong>of</strong> stakeholders– including member States, persons <strong>with</strong> disabilitiesand <strong>the</strong>ir organizations, UN system entities,development partners, and regional entities – in <strong>the</strong>implementation and monitoring <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Conventionneed to be clearly established and defined.The Convention sets out reporting obligations at both<strong>the</strong> national and international levels. Particular prioritymust be given to <strong>the</strong> actions needed at <strong>the</strong> nationallevel. As outlined in article 33 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Convention,States parties are required to designate focal point(s)<strong>with</strong>in government, and consider <strong>the</strong> establishment<strong>of</strong> a coordination mechanism <strong>with</strong>in government t<strong>of</strong>acilitate relevant actions. The article also highlights<strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> an independent mechanism formonitoring at <strong>the</strong> national level, and <strong>the</strong> engagement<strong>of</strong> civil society, especially <strong>the</strong> involvement andparticipation <strong>of</strong> persons <strong>with</strong> disabilities and <strong>the</strong>irorganizations in <strong>the</strong> process.At <strong>the</strong> international level, <strong>the</strong> Convention establishesa treaty monitoring body, <strong>the</strong> Committee on <strong>the</strong><strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> Persons <strong>with</strong> <strong>Disabilities</strong> (in Geneva),as well as a Conference <strong>of</strong> States parties (inNew York). As is <strong>the</strong> case for o<strong>the</strong>r human rightstreaty bodies, <strong>the</strong> Committee will be made up <strong>of</strong>independent experts, receiving secretariat supportfrom <strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> High Commissioner forHuman <strong>Rights</strong>. The Committee will consist initially<strong>of</strong> 12 members elected by secret ballot from a listsubmitted by States parties. Each ratifying country isexpected to provide an initial comprehensive reportto this Committee on progress over a two-yearperiod to implement <strong>the</strong> Convention, and to reportsubsequently every four years. The Committee willalso take into account <strong>the</strong> representations <strong>of</strong> NGOsand members <strong>of</strong> civil society. The reports <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UNCommittee will be in <strong>the</strong> public domain and availableon <strong>the</strong> internet. The Optional Protocol to <strong>the</strong> CRPDintroduces additional procedures to streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Convention and <strong>the</strong> monitoringrole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Committee. 24Within <strong>the</strong> UN system, each agency involved in <strong>the</strong>disability field will play a distinctive role. In respect<strong>of</strong> children and women, <strong>UNICEF</strong> is particularly wellplaced to provide support to government and civilsociety partners, especially organizations <strong>of</strong> persons<strong>with</strong> disabilities, in <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> implementationand monitoring <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Convention. The UNDivision <strong>of</strong> Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA)has been called upon to lead <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> aninter-agency group that will support <strong>the</strong> development<strong>of</strong> a UN system-wide strategy to advance <strong>the</strong> implementation<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Convention.The CRPD process has represented an unprecedentedopportunity for civil society and <strong>the</strong> nongovernmentalsector. For <strong>the</strong> first time in history,<strong>the</strong> United Nations General Assembly attributed aleading role to non-governmental organizations in<strong>the</strong> elaboration <strong>of</strong> an international convention byspecifically involving <strong>the</strong>m in its working structures.This partnership between organizations <strong>of</strong> persons<strong>with</strong> disabilities and development and human rightsactors will be maintained throughout <strong>the</strong> implementationand monitoring process.Implementation at national level: Next stepsThe guidance contained in <strong>the</strong> CRPD and <strong>the</strong> standards<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CRC, toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> conclusions emergingfrom <strong>the</strong> deliberations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Committee on <strong>the</strong><strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Child, 25 have each generated importantrecommendations for next steps in implementation at<strong>the</strong> national level. The following represents a syn<strong>the</strong>sisfrom <strong>the</strong>se two, very usefully convergent sources:12345678Undertake a comprehensive review <strong>of</strong> all legislationin order to ensure consideration to <strong>the</strong> inclusion<strong>of</strong> children <strong>with</strong> disabilities. Prohibition <strong>of</strong>discrimination on grounds <strong>of</strong> disability should beincluded in all legislation.Provide for effective remedies in cases <strong>of</strong> violations<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> children <strong>with</strong> disabilities andensure that <strong>the</strong>se are accessible to all children,families and carers.Develop a national plan for action framed by<strong>the</strong> relevant provisions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> CRC and CRPD,toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>with</strong> <strong>the</strong> Standard Rules. Action plansshould specify measurable targets, evaluation indicatorsand timetables and should be monitoredaccordingly.Create a focal point for disability in each relevantministry, as well as a high level multi-sectoralcoordinating committee, <strong>with</strong> members drawnfrom all relevant ministries and from organizations<strong>of</strong> persons <strong>with</strong> disabilities. This committeeshould be empowered to be proactive in initiatingproposals and policies.Develop independent monitoring mechanisms,such as an ombudsperson or children’s commissioner,and ensure that children and families arefully supported in gaining access to such mechanisms.Create an earmarked budget to ensure that fundsare targeted at agreed areas <strong>of</strong> need, such asfinancial support for families, income maintenance,pr<strong>of</strong>essional development and funds topromote access to buildings and services.Conduct awareness raising and educational campaignstargeting <strong>the</strong> public at large as well asspecific groups <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.Have particular regard to <strong>the</strong> additional vulnerability<strong>of</strong> girls and women to discrimination.These and o<strong>the</strong>r recommendations are fur<strong>the</strong>r discussedand exemplified in chapter 7 below.Innocenti Digest No. 13<strong>Promoting</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Disabilities</strong>12