Representatives of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from 20 countries of the Commonwealth and Asia Pacific Region met in Delhi from 26 to 29 May 2003, to discuss how they might address the human rights aspects of disability in their work. They were joined by members of Indian NGOs, by representatives of international organisations and by experts working in the field of human rights and disability.

The workshop was organised by the British Council, in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission of India, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Financial support was provided by the British Council, by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Human Rights Project Fund, and by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

During the workshop, participants from NHRIs in Afghanistan, Australia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Uganda discussed proposals to develop a comprehensive and integral UN convention to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. This followed on from the invitation extended to NHRIs by the UN General Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee, established in 2002 to consider the development of such a convention, to contribute to its discussions. The workshop also considered best practice strategies for ensuring the rights of people with disabilities within participating countries, and how NHRIs can support this process domestically.

The workshop’s recommendations were accepted by the UN as an official contribution to the second meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee, from 16 to 27 June 2003. At this meeting, the Committee decided to proceed with the drafting of a Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, and to include an NHRI representative on the drafting Working Group. This represents a solid achievement by organisations working with and for people with disabilities throughout the world, including NHRIs.

For further information about the workshop, including the programme, participant list and report, please visit the website of the British Council’s organising partner, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions.