On November 23 and 24 the special UN rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, will be on a working visit to The Hague organized by DCDD.
The purpose of the working visit is to answer the following two questions:
- How far is the Netherlands actually with the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in its foreign policy?
- How do you ensure that people with disabilities – currently they are over-represented in the most marginalized groups in developing countries – also have access to basic services and are part of society?
About the program
Rapporteur Devandas will talk with members of the National Institute for Human Rights about the domestic and foreign components of the treaty. The focus of her working visit is on Dutch foreign policy. On Thursday morning, at the expert meeting ‘Everybody Matters’ (for researchers, policy makers and employees of aid organizations) the improvement of sexual reproductive and health rights for people with disabilities in the development policy of Minister Kaag will be central. Also, the book ‘Everybody Matters’ – a collaboration between ShareNet International and DCDD – containing good practices and policy recommendations will be presented.
On Thursday afternoon, November 24 from 15:00 to 16:00, a public meeting with the Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Committee is planned in the House of Representatives. Ms. Devandas will talk with MPs about further implementation of the UN Convention. On Friday morning, a (closed) working visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scheduled.
About the special UN rapporteur
The UN Special Rapporteur is appointed by and reports to the UN Human Rights Council. Its mission is to conduct research into the position of people with disabilities in the internal and external policies of member states. The Netherlands has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in June 2016. Coming summer, the current cabinet will have to report to the UN on the progress of the implementation and the way in which the Netherlands protects and promotes these rights.
The working visit of Devandas is organized by the Dutch Coalition on Disability and Development (DCDD). The expert meeting is a collaboration between DCDD and ShareNet International.
