Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: The General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities last week came closer to an agreement on issues such as equality and non-discrimination, right to life and liberty and security of the person.
[United Nations, 23 January 2006] - The General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities last week came closer to an agreement on issues such as equality and non-discrimination, right to life and liberty and security of the person. Participants reached a general agreement on article 22, under which States Parties are to protect the privacy of persons with disabilities, including personal, health and rehabilitation information, and are to prevent arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy, family, home, correspondence and communications. There was general support for the Chair's text on equality and non-discrimination (article 5), right to life (article 10), liberty and security of the person (article 14), freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (article 15), freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (article 16), liberty of movement (article 18) and personal mobility (article 20). Participants sought to refine the language on freedom of expression and opinion and access to information (article 21), under which States would guarantee that persons with disabilities can exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas. The Committee came closer to an agreement on awareness raising (article 8) and accessibility (article 9). Differences remained on equal recognition as a person before the law (article 12), access to justice (article 13), protecting the integrity of the person (article 17) and living independently and being included in the community ( article 19). The Committee is expected to conclude the second full reading of the Convention by 3 February, the last day of its current session.