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The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling relevant provisions of the major United Nations conferences and summits, and their respective follow-up reviews, for the promotion of the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities on an equal and participatory basis, Encouraged by the increased interest of the international community in the promotion and protection of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities under a comprehensive and integral approach,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 56/168 of 19 December 2001, by
which the Assembly established an Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals
for a
comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect
the
rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, based on the holistic approach
in the
work carried out in the fields of social development, human rights and nondiscrimination,
and taking into account the recommendations of the Commission on
Human Rights and the Commission for Social Development,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 57/229 of 18 December 2002, in which the Assembly took note with appreciation of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on its first session28 and reaffirmed the need to promote and protect the equal and effective enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with disabilities, aware of the contribution that a convention could make in that regard and thus convinced of the need to continue to consider proposals,
Recalling further Economic and Social Council resolution 2002/7 of 24 July 2002 on a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities,
Stressing the primary responsibility of Governments in the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and their full enjoyment by persons with disabilities,
Welcoming the work of national, regional and international meetings of Governments, experts and non-governmental organizations that contribute to the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, including the regional initiatives taken previous to the second session of the Ad Hoc Committee in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General29 on the fourth quinquennial review and appraisal of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons,30
Stressing the need for additional efforts to ensure accessibility with reasonable accommodation regarding facilities and documentation at the United Nations for all persons with disabilities, in accordance with General Assembly decision 56/474 of 23 July 2002,
Deeply concerned about the disadvantaged and vulnerable situation faced by six hundred million persons with disabilities around the world,
1. Acknowledges the contributions of the Special Rapporteur on disability
of
the Commission for Social Development to the process established by the General
Assembly in resolution 56/168 of 19 December 2001 on a comprehensive and
integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity
of
persons with disabilities, and encourages the Special Rapporteur to continue
to
contribute to this process in accordance with Assembly resolution 57/229
of 18
December 2002;
2. Also acknowledges the contributions of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Department of Economic and Social
Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat to the process established by the
General
Assembly in resolution 56/168, and encourages them to continue to contribute
to
this process;
3. Requests the Commission for Social Development to continue to
contribute to the process established by the General Assembly in resolution
56/168
by, inter alia, providing its views regarding the social development of persons
with
disabilities, bearing in mind the experience in the implementation of the
Standard
Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities31 and the
World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons;30
4. Invites bodies, organs and entities of the United Nations system,
including the funds and programmes, particularly those working in the fields
of
social and economic development and human rights, within their respective
mandates, as well as non-governmental organizations, national disability
and human
rights institutions and independent experts with an interest in the matter,
to make
available to the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International
Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons
with
Disabilities suggestions and possible elements to be considered in proposals
for a
convention;
5. Encourages the relevant bodies of the United Nations to continue to
promote and support the active participation of civil society, including
interested
non-governmental organizations, in the process established by the General
Assembly in resolution 56/168, in accordance with Assembly resolutions 56/510
of
23 July 2002 and 57/229, and requests the Secretary-General to disseminate
widely
to the community of non-governmental organizations all available information
on
accreditation procedures as well as information on supportive measures and
modalities for their participation in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee;
6. Invites Governments, civil society and the private sector to contribute
to
the voluntary fund established by the General Assembly to support the participation
of non-governmental organizations and experts from developing countries,
in
particular from the least developed countries, in the work of the Ad Hoc
Committee;
7. Underlines the importance of strengthening the United Nations
Programme on Disability in order to provide support to the Ad Hoc Committee,
as
requested by the General Assembly in resolution 57/229.
42nd plenary meeting
21 July 2003
Footnotes:
30. A/37/351/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex, sect. VIII, recommendation I (iv).
31. General Assembly resolution 48/96, annex.