United Nations Human Rights Council
61st Regular Session
Agenda Item 3
Oral statement of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Thank you, President,
Madam Special Rapporteur,
As you note, many States continue to restrict or exclude persons with disabilities from political participation on an equal basis. These restrictions are based on discriminatory constitutional and legislative provisions.
Your report’s findings are fully consistent with the results of the ICJ’s research and engagement with persons with disabilities globally, through which we have identified the following persistent barriers:
- Attitudinal barriers: rooted in stigma and stereotypes;
- Communication barriers: critical information is not provided in accessible formats;
- Physical barriers: such as inaccessible registration centres and polling stations;
- Institutional barriers: including discriminatory laws and policies, such as disability-based voting restrictions, particularly affecting persons with psychosocial and/or intellectual disabilities.
Our engagement with judiciaries across regions reveals a significant underrepresentation of judges with disabilities and a limited judicial understanding of disability rights.
Special Rapporteur, under the CRPD, how can States best fulfill their obligations to:
- a) Ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities at all levels of public office, including judicial and quasi-judicial bodies adjudicating election disputes;
- b) Guarantee effective remedies for violations of the right of persons with disabilities to equal participation in political and public life.
Thank you.
Statement delivered by: Sandra Epal-Ratjen – International Advocacy Director – ICJ
For more information: contact: Sandra.epal@icj.org
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You can download the statement here.
