Pacific Disability Forum ASIA-PACIFIC DPI ASSEMBLY 2012 A

Pacific Disability Forum ASIA-PACIFIC DPI ASSEMBLY 2012 A new Resolution for the new Asian & Pacific of the Disabled Persons. 24 – 27 October 2012 “A partnership of Pacific Organizations of and for People with Disabilities”

Current Conventions • ICESCR – International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1976) • ICCPR – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976) • CEDAW – Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (1981) • CRC – Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) • MWC – Convention on the Protection on the Rights of Migrant Workers (2003) • CRPD – Convention on the Rights Of Person’s with Disabilities (2008) • CERD - Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (1969) • CPED - International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (2010) • CAT – Convention Against Torture (1987) • UDHR-Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) • “Mother of all Conventions” contains the 30 basic rights and principles which all conventions cover • ICCPR + ICESCR = “IBOR” or International Bill of Rights – most of these elements are contained in a country’s constitution – although most focus on ICCPR and less on ICESCR • *dates are upon entry into force – generally

Group based and Issue Based • Groups • Women • Children • Migrant workers • Persons with disabilities Future? - Elderly - Sexual orientation and gender identity • Issues • Civil and political • Economic, social and cultural • Torture • Disappearances • Racial discrimination Future? -environment, climate change

Other conventions - CRPD • CEDAW – covers the rights of women with disabilities (again, no mention of disability in convention text) but the CEDAW Committee has adopted General Recommendations that CEDAW reporting must include reporting separately on women with disabilities. Article 6 of CRPD • CRC – first convention to mention disability! Article 2 covers “irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, Article 23 specific on children with a disability. Article 7 of CRPD. • ILO conventions – already covered - ILO Conventions 111 concerning property, disability, birth or other status”. Discrimination in respect of Employment and Occupation 1958, and Convention 159 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) 1983 • Article 27 of CRPD

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Purpose of Convention (Article 1) To promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity

What is unique about the Convention? • Both a development and Human Rights instrument • A policy instrument which is cross-disability and cross-sectoral • Legally binding

A Paradigm Shift • The Convention marks a ‘paradigm shift’ in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. • Persons with disabilities are not viewed as "objects" of charity, medical treatment and social protection; rather as "subjects" with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. • The Convention gives universal recognition to the dignity of persons with disabilities.

Universal Periodic Review Process • • • Every country which is a UN Member Every 4 years Receive recommendations Another way to progress disability rights Agreed recommendations with regards to progressing disability issues.

BACKGROUND • Persons with disabilities in PICs are among the poorest and most marginalized in the community. • lack education, employment and livelihood opportunities, and have no or limited access to support services which lead to their economic and social exclusion. Pacific Disability Forum

Cont …. BACKGROUND • UNESCAP spearheading regional efforts over two consecutive regional disability decades to forge a paradigm shift • 1993 – 2002 - 1 st Decade – Agenda for action • 2003 – 2012 - 2 nd Decade - Biwako Millennium Framework for Action • persons with disabilities are the most qualified, best informed and most motivated to speak on their own behalf Pacific Disability Forum

CONT …. BACKGROUND • 2002 - Birth of PDF - formally inaugurated in 2004 • PDF as a regional non-governmental organisation and focal point on disability to coordinate and promote disability development efforts in the region • PDF and its members working with development partners civil society etc to ensure persons with disabilities live in an inclusive, barrier free and rights based society. Pacific Disability Forum

CONT …. BACKGROUND • The PRSD adopted at the first ever Forum Disability Ministers Meeting in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in October 2009 • The PRSD affirms that persons with disabilities are the most equipped and best informed to speak on their behalf • recognises the central role of persons with disabilities and their organisations in addressing their issues Pacific Disability Forum

Cont …. BACKGROUND • to achieve the full promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities considerable changes in attitudes, legislation, policies and programs are required • a long-term process, requiring multiple and sustained interventions and support • a good development practice Pacific Disability Forum

Cont …Partnership With Pacific Islands Governments • joint training project - “Building Capacity and Knowledge of Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) and Government Representatives in the Pacific to Progress Disability Issues” between the PDF, AHRC, PIFS, ESCAP Pacific Operation Centre, SPC/RRRT and PWD Australia programme was conducted in 13 Pacific Island countries • resulted in a stronger working relationship and better understanding

Cont …Partnership With Pacific Islands Governments • PDF collaborated with PIFS and ESCAP Pacific Operation Centre in partnership with the Government disability focal points in certain Pacific Island countries on the development of their national policy on disability Pacific Disability Forum

Cont …Partnership With Pacific Islands Governments • PDF work is evidenced based • PDF in partnership with APIDS conducted a participatory research - Capacity Development for Effective and Efficient Disabled Persons Organisations – in 12 countries • providing a sound base for a wide range of current and potential capacity development efforts with Pacific DPOs Pacific Disability Forum

Cont …Partnership With Pacific Islands Governments • research found that DPOs in the Pacific are currently experiencing rapid and significant changes • changes have included: increasing numbers of organised events at community level • more externally-supported and funded activities which aim to contribute towards capacity development of DPOs. • research promotional video Pacific Disability Forum

Thank You! Pacific Disability Forum Kadavu House – Ground Floor, Victoria Parade, G. P. O 18458 Suva, Fiji. Tel : +679 3307530 Fax : +679 3310469 E- mail : pdfsec@unwired. com. fj Pacific Disability Forum