I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the MIKTA countries, Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye and Australia.
We recognise with appreciation the efforts of the Bureau which, under your Presidency, has worked to enable this in-person Conference to discuss “Harmonizing national policies and strategies with the CRPD”, with a cross-cutting focus on achievements and challenges.
President,
As MIKTA countries, we seek to uphold the general principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that respect, protect, and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, inter alia, the respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons; non-discrimination; and full and effective participation and inclusion in society.
We recognise that persons with disabilities face greater challenges in attaining the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In this regard, we are concerned that persons with psychosocial disabilities continue to be subject to widespread and multiple forms of discrimination, social exclusion, violence, institutionalisation, and treatment practices that fail to respect their individual autonomy, will and preferences.
Women and girls with disabilities, including women and girls with psychosocial disabilities, face an increased vulnerability to violence, abuse, discrimination and negative stereotyping at all ages.
States Parties should adopt, implement, strengthen or monitor, as appropriate, existing laws, policies and practices in-line with international human rights obligations and should take active steps to fully integrate and strengthen a human rights perspective into services for persons with disabilities.
Effective mental health and psychosocial support services should respect, protect and fulfil the human rights, individual autonomy, will and preferences of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Such services should promote their right to full and effective inclusion and participation in society, to decide upon matters affecting them, and to have their dignity respected on an equal basis with others.
We therefore call on all States Parties to continue to take this forward through community-, evidence-, and human rights-based services and support that respect, protect and fulfill the human rights, individual autonomy, will, and preferences of persons with disabilities, including persons with psychosocial disabilities, on an equal basis with others.