BackOn-site Monitoring of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Webinar by the ENNHRI and the Public Defender of Georgia
- Wednesday, 23 September 2020 -
- 14:00 PM - 16:00 PM (CET) -
As governments all around the world rush to respond to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is crucial in this process to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and address their needs swiftly.
From the very beginning of the pandemic, PWDs have been declared as a risk group impacted more significantly by COVID-19 because of the barriers they face in everyday life. The critical nature and absolute necessity of additional considerations to be taken in order to protect PWDs have been emphasized by the various bodies of the UN, as well as the Council of Europe and the European Union.
Against this background, the current crisis has once again exposed the risk of institutional living. It is obvious, that while deinstitutionalization of care facilities is key to the better protection of human rights, the situation of PWDs placed in such institutions must be monitored urgently. Besides, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health is another important issue to be addressed. In order to minimize the mental health consequences of the pandemic, any program to reduce or address mental health problems created by the pandemic needs to be monitored and evaluated.
Since it is not clear how long the pandemic is going to last, it is important for NHRIs to adjust their work to the new circumstances. Due to the high importance of the monitoring of human rights of PWDs in closed facilities/institutions, it is essential to adapt and create monitoring mechanisms to safeguard both – prevention of disease and human rights protection of PWDs.
Based on this background, the main objective of this webinar is to exchange on the nature and methodology of the monitoring visits conducted in closed facilities/institutions during the pandemic. Additionally, the invited speakers will share information and best practices regarding safety measures used for protecting monitors, as well as beneficiaries from the spread of the virus, which is to guarantee better the protection of PWDs placed in closed facilities/institutions, including prisons, mental health facilities or care homes.
The webinar is open to public. Registration is mandatory! Please register by 18 September COB by clicking HERE.
