THERE ARE CALLS for Ireland to set up a new advisory committee to make sure people with disabilities are being properly represented.

A report from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission says people with lived experience of disability should take full part in a monitoring process to make sure Ireland keeps on track in its work to ratify a UN Convention.

Slow progress 

Ireland signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007. However, it’s one of two EU member states – along with Finland – who have not ratified the Convention.

A ‘Roadmap to Ratification’ was published by the last government in October of last year.

As part of the stipulations of the Convention, an independent monitoring framework needs to be established to keep an eye on the State’s progress implementing the Convention’s obligations to protect and uphold the human rights of people with disabilities.

Today’s report recommends that people with disabilities and their organisations be involved in all aspects of that monitoring process.

It also recommends that the existing Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission be tasked with that monitoring role, with an advisory committee composed of a group of people with lived experience of disability.

Chief Commissioner of the IHREC Emily Logan said:

The Convention places the full and direct participation of people with disabilities at the centre of the monitoring process.

UN Special Rapporteur Catalina Devandas Aguilar (pictured right) launches the report. Paul Sharp / sharppix.ie Paul Sharp / sharppix.ie / sharppix.ie

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