Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: proposals from the NAPD

The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine initiated and held discussions on the draft Action Plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the period up to 2030. Representatives of state bodies, member organizations of the NAPD, experts, and civil society activists took part in the discussion.  

During the meeting, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' comments on Ukraine's combined periodic report were discussed. In particular, they concerned compliance with the fundamental principles of the Convention—respect for dignity, non-discrimination, participation, equal opportunities, and the involvement of persons with disabilities in the decision-making process. The participants made suggestions on possible ways to implement the Committee's recommendations. These suggestions will be summarized, refined, and forwarded to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, which will take them into account in the draft Action Plan. 

Among the main proposals made during the event was the requirement to use the terminology of the Convention in national legislation. Participants in the discussion proposed making the necessary legislative changes to harmonize Ukrainian legislation with international law. It was also recognized as necessary to define the status of organizations of persons with disabilities at the legislative level, taking into account all the specific features of such structures, and to provide for their institutional support. 

The proposals concerned improving the qualifications of civil servants and other specialists in relation to disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities, and their awareness of the implementation of the Convention. Participants in the discussion proposed introducing a mechanism for systematic monitoring of the implementation of the Convention and the Committee's concluding observations.

The recommendations compiled by the NAPD will contribute to the harmonization of domestic legislation with international law, strengthen the protection of the rights of this category of the population in our country, and accelerate Ukraine's European integration progress. 

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