The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) joins the United Nations, the rest of the international community, and in particular persons with disabilities in commemorating the international Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Commission celebrates this day every year not only to reaffirm its unflinching commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities but also to promote wider appreciation of disability issues and as a reminder of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
The rights of persons with disabilities are increasingly acknowledged at the national, regional and continental levels. Sensitization campaigns as well as the adoption of measures to combat discriminatory acts, including the criminalization of such acts, the adoption of National Disability Policies ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access to education, training, employment, health and other aspects of life continue to represent fruitful efforts. The rights of persons with disabilities have been enshrined in different constitutions, and their participation at every level of the political process has been guaranteed.
Nevertheless, persons with disabilities continue to face all kinds of discrimination. This is partly because disability is yet to be seen as a development issue. Out of the 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, 80 percent live in the developing world. Sustainable development in Africa cannot therefore be realized without addressing the health, education, employment and other development needs of persons with disabilities.
The Working Group on Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa, established by the Commission to spearhead its work in this area, is preparing a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa. This African human rights instrument will add another layer of protection to the regional human rights system. The Working Group has invited and received inputs on the Draft Disability Protocol from relevant organizations and other stakeholders. The Working Group anticipates that it will table the Draft Protocol for consideration by the Commission later in 2015.
The theme of sustainable development for persons with disabilities is vividly reflected in the activities of the Working Group and specifically the Draft Disability Protocol which highlights the use of assistive technologies including in development and rehabilitation to ensure the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities to access the physical environment, transportation, information and communication networks.
The Commission wishes to once again reiterate its conviction that sustainable development is realized when it is inclusive of persons with disabilities. The African Union (AU) continues to work towards creating a society that is inclusive of all. The African Decade for Persons with Disabilities, extended by the AU to 2019, reinforces the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol.
The Commission wishes to commend the work of persons, organizations and all partners who continue to advance the inclusion of persons with disability in development agendas across Africa, and also calls on every partner to continue to support and advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. This day creates a unique opportunity for us to reflect on our past commitments and renew even greater dedication to the rights of persons with disabilities as part of our development goals.
In line with this year’s theme: “Sustainable Development: The Promise of Technology”, the Commission urges State Parties to work towards fostering inclusive societies by making available the use of up-to-date technology that assists persons with disabilities and creates an enabling working environment in accordance with the CRPD, the African Charter and other international instruments to fully realize the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. This requires disability-inclusive sustainable development goals, and adequate mainstreaming of disability rights in the design and implementation of laws, policies, programs and actions in every sector of national life.
The Commission further calls on all State Parties to the African Charter to ratify and implement the CRPD and its Optional Protocol, and put in place adequate and effective national mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the Convention.
The Commission continues to work towards an inclusive society wherein sustainable development is guaranteed, where persons with disabilities enjoy an enabling work environment and where they can realize their potential to the maximum.
Done in Banjul, 3rd December 2014
