General News
Convention News Flash - Geneva Oct 23 2009
The second session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) concluded today with a new Chairperson, Professor Ron McCallum from Australia.
Although the Committee had decided at its first session last February that its inaugural Chairperson, Mohamed Al-Tarawneh from Jordan would hand over to Ana Pelaez-Narvaez from Spain for 2010, this week's meeting of the Committee decided to call for another vote for the Chairperson for 2010. After a repeated deadlock of six votes each for Mr Al-Tarawneh and Ms Pelaez-Narvaez, Professor McCallum was then elected as a consensus compromise. Professor McCallum will commence as Chairperson at the thrid session of the Committee in February 2010 and continue until the end of his tenure on the Committee at the end of 2010. As one of the Committee members with just a two year tenure, his position comes up for election at the Conference of States Parties on September 2010. It is not known whether the Australian government intends to re-nominate Professor McCallum for re-election to the Committee.
Unfortunately, the negotiations and election of a new bureau took up much of the Committee's time this week. The aim of this session was to conclude and adopt three core documents - the Committee's rules of procedure, their working methods and the reporting guidelines. Only the reporting guidelines were concluded and adopted at this session of the Committee. These guidelines were negotiated and concluded in closed sessions (see below) so they have not yet been been seen by any DPOs or other NGOs. The Committee has said that these reporting guidelines will be available on its website before the end of the year.
It is disappointing that the Committee chose to do most of its work this week in closed sessions without DPOs or any other civil society organisations present. It is especially disappointing that the reporting guidelines were discussed and concluded in closed sessions without the important expertise and contribution of DPOs. This seems contrary to at least the spirit, if not the letter, of the Convention. It also contradicts undertakings made by the Committee in its first session of February 2009. It is hoped the under Professor McCallum the Committee will open up the Committee's work to the participation and contribution of DPOs and civil society organisations.
The Day of General Discussion on Article 12 on Wednesday October 21 included comments from several Committee members who stressed the fundamental importance of Article 12 to the entire Convention. Professor Amita Dhanda gave a keynote address which highlighted that Article 12 underpins the paradigm shift of the Convention to supported decision-making. She pointed out that this includes the need to move beyond the old stereotypes and arguments of so-called "rare cases" where substituted decision-making is still required. Those who had made submissions were given the opportunity to give brief verbal presentations of their submissions that picked up on themes raised by Professor Dhanda. These speakers included Tina Minkowitz (World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry)), Gabor Gombos (MDAC, Hungary), David Webb (AFDO and DPI), Claude Deutsch (Advocacy France and DPI Europe), Michael Bach (Inclusion International) and Stefan Tromel (International Disability Alliance). Each speaker raised various aspects for consideration in the transition from substituted to supported decision-making.
Additional Information
Country: Switzerland
Website: N/A
Email: N/A
Phone: N/A
Contact Person: N/A
Source: David Webb, DPI/AFDO
When: 27/10/2009
