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Wednesday | 3 September 2020 | 11.00 - 12.30 hours CET
"Protecting and empowering persons with disabilities in the COVID-19 context: the role and experiences of national human rights institutions"
Webinar hosted by GANHRI with the participation of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Persons with disabilities are distinctively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and states’ responses to the contain the pandemic. They represent a diverse population of people with different impairments and support requirements, who face significant barriers in exercising their rights in general, and as a result of the pandemic emergency in particular. These barriers can be mitigated if appropriate actions and protective measures are taken by duty-bearers.
National human rights institutions (NHRIs) are mandated and well-placed to monitor experiences of people with disabilities, and to advise and hold duty-bearers to account for maintaining disabled peoples’ rights throughout emergency measures.
Objectives
This webinar will discuss the roles and experiences of NHRIs from all regions in protecting and empowering persons with disabilities in the COVID-19 pandemic context.
Specifically, the webinar will be an opportunity for participants
- To exchange on the range of engagement, advisory and monitoring activities that NHRIs in all regions are undertaking;
- To identify common gaps, and lessons;
- To develop practical strategies for NHRIs to employ to address the situation of persons with disabilties in the COVID-19 context and the common gaps identified; and
- To draw from the guidance and experience from the Special Rapporteur and the Committee, and identify opportunities for collaboration in support of persons with disabilities.
The webinar will also formally launch the study into the role and experiences of NHRIs as national monitoring mechanisms under article 33 II of the Convention, commissioned by GANHRI and conducted by the Canadian Human Rights Commisssion. Please click here to Register.
