Back to: Third Session of the Ad Hoc Committee

Proposals on international cooperation

Australia
China
Israel
Lebanon
Mexico
Viet Nam

Australia
Intervention – International Cooperation

Australia appreciates the work of the delegations from Mexico and China in drafting text dealing with the important issue of international cooperation.

Australia agrees with the delegate for the EU and others, that the implementation of the convention is primarily a national responsibility and agrees that national compliance should not be conditional on receiving international assistance.

Australia does not oppose mention of international cooperation in the convention and will consider the EU proposal for a 2 bis.

Consideration could also be given to including a reference in the preamble either in addition to or instead of an operative article.

Australia maintains its position that the provisions of the convention should allow flexibility in implementation and should not be overly prescriptive.

If the concept of international cooperation is to be defined, which has yet to be agreed, then it should be defined as broadly as possible.

Thank you.

China’s proposal on International Cooperation

States Parties recognize that international cooperation is conducive to the implementation of this Convention and undertake to take appropriate measures in coordination with each other as well as with international and regional organizations, in particular:

(a) exchange and sharing of information especially that concerning progress and challenges in implementing this Convention;
(b) mainstream disability issues into cooperation program framework;
(c) encourage the provision of technical and economic assistance to developing countries, including technology transfer, to enhance the capacities to effectively implement the Convention.

Israel’s Proposals in relation to Mexico’s proposal on International Cooperation
June 3, 2004

Paragraph 1:
Add sub-paragraph (f), as follows:
“(f) Conclude agreements for the issue of regional or international disabled persons’ cards for the purpose of various entitlements”.

Paragraph 2:
Add, at the end of sub-paragraph (e): “including the establishment of bilateral, regional and international research and development funds”.

Paragraph 3:
Add, at the end of sub-paragraph (a): “including partnerships and cooperation agreements between local and municipal authorities in different states”.

Intervention of Lebanon about International Cooperation 3/6/2004

First: Lebanon confirms that it is necessary to include international cooperation in the preamble, as a reminder of the importance of solidarity between states, in order to secure a world accessible for all. We will provide a text on this issue when the preamble will be discussed.

Second: Lebanon sees that a specific article must be dedicated to deal with the issue of international cooperation because it is one of the main supporting tools to guarantee the best implementation of this convention.

International cooperation cannot be an objective of a convention concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, although it might constitute by itself an ultimate goal that all state parties may strive to achieve.

As for the content of this article, Mexico and China have just provided 2 comprehensive proposals that deserve to be seriously explored. In light of this, and due to the fact that neither will this text be finalized during this session, nor will comments on the proposals be included to the draft, Lebanon will come back to the Ad-hoc Committee with its position at a later stage.

Mexico
Article on International cooperation

State Parties shall engage in international cooperation as an essential element for the implementation of this convention in a spirit of solidarity, in particular for the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and the dignity of persons with disabilities. State Parties at all levels of government should encourage and support the exchange of knowledge, experience and international cooperation with international and regional organizations, specialized agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities, non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, as well as other national institutions, private sector, financial institutions and other stakeholders.

1. International cooperation among States shall include, but not be limited to:

a) Contribute to international and regional programmes and related activities aimed at raising awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and combating stereotypes;
b) Sharing information concerning best practices on measures, legislation, national policies and programmes to implement the present convention;
c) [Adopting measures in favor of persons with disabilities in – Thailand] (Ensuring that – Thailand) existing and future international cooperation activities, agreements and programmes (are inclusive to persons with disabilities and their needs – Thailand);
d) Encouraging programmes of exchange concerning information, technical assistance, communications and assistive [devices – Thailand] (technologies – Thailand) or equipment;
e) Taking measures, including financial and technical assistance, aimed at enhancing with a multidisciplinary approach the capacities of States to effectively implement this Convention.
((f) Conclude agreements for the issue of regional or international disabled persons’ cards for the purpose of various entitlements – Israel)

2. International cooperation with respect to international and regional organizations shall include:

a) The United Nations and its specialized agencies shall take steps to ensure the effective integration of a disability perspective in their work and to periodically assess the impact of their programmes and activities on the full and equal enjoyment of all the human rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and to adjust them where required;
b) Increasing advisory services and technical cooperation;
c) Promoting meetings, courses, seminars and workshops and other related activities for the study of matters and problems related to the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and the dignity of persons with disabilities;
d) Inviting international and regional finance and development institutions to similarly adopt a disability perspective into their work and to assess and periodically adjust their policies and programmes;
e) Fostering bilateral, regional and international financial arrangements to promote the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and the dignity of persons with disabilities; (including the establishment of bilateral, regional and international research and development funds – Israel)

3. International cooperation with respect to civil society and the private sector shall include:

a) Promoting the sharing of knowledge and experiences between non governmental organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities within and between regions, particularly through meetings, courses, seminars and workshops and other related activities; (including partnerships and cooperation agreements between local and municipal authorities in different states – Israel)
b) Contribute to public awareness raising about the rights of persons with disabilities and combating stereotypes;
c) Supporting capacity building within civil society to engage more effectively and constructively with States Parties and with the relevant international and regional machinery, through, for example, training and technical cooperation.
d) Develop joint projects with the private sector and civil society to contribute to ensure the early participation of persons with disabilities into productive life;
e) Adopting measures including incentive measures to harness the positive potential of private sector as key agents for change;

(4. States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international cooperation – Argentina)

The language for this proposal was taken an inspired by the following international instruments, resolutions and documents:

• Charter of the UN (Chapter IX articles 55 and 56)
• World Conference on Human Rights. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (preamble, section I, section II part A and C regarding “Increased coordination on human rights within the UN System” and “Cooperation, development and strengthening of human rights”, respectively.)
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (article 23 and General comment no. 3 and 5 (Document E/C.12/1994/13)
• Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (preamble sixth paragraph)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (preamble last paragraph and Article 4) and general comment no. 5 (paragraphs 7, 8 and 60)
• Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines and on their destruction (Article 6)
• United Nations Convention against Corruption (Chapter IV, Article 43, 59; Chapter VI Article 60 and 61)
• United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Article 30)
• The Kyoto Protocol (Article 9 )
• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer (Article 9 and 10 a)
• Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (Rule 21 and 22 of General Assembly Resolution 48/96)
• Summary of the discussions held regarding the issue of international cooperation to be considered by the Ad hoc Committee, contained in document A/AC. 265/2004/WG.1)
• Commission on Human Rights resolution 2004 entitled “Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities” (pp 9, pp10, op11, op14 and op17) .
• General Assembly Resolution 58/132 entitled “Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons: Towards a society for all in the twenty-first century” (pp15, op 5, op7)
• Proposals submitted by Mexico, China, India, Venezuela and New Zealand to the Ad hoc Committee.
• Seminar of Quito
• On-line consultation

Vietnam’s proposal on International Cooperation

States parties shall promote direct cooperation with international organizations, including bilateral, multi-bilateral organizations, and non-governmental organizations to strengthen capacity for the implementation of this convention. Fundamental issues are as follows:

a) Development of national legislation, policies, programmes and projects related to the rights of persons with disabilities;
b) Increasing public awareness on disability and the rights of persons with disabilities;
c) Promoting research and application of assistive technologies for persons with disabilities and their organizations;
d) Conducting training courses, workshops and research for the implementation of this convention;
e) Strengthening capacity training provided for persons with disabilities for their enjoyment of the rights under this convention.