CNDH PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTS ROLE OF NHRIs IN ADVANCING RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

CNDH president sheds light on the vital role of national human rights institutions on advancing human rights of older persons and persons with disabilities, during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, on October 19, 2011, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Held under the theme of "Advancing the Human Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities - the Role of African National Human Rights Institutions" this conference highlighted the important position of the protection of the rights older persons and persons with disabilities in the agenda of African human rights defenders, Mr. Driss El Yazami said.

Advocating against any discrimination based on age or disability, he added that it was an opportunity for African national human rights institutions to evaluate the policies of their respective states, exchange their experiences, strengthen capacities, analyze any possible gaps and adopt a joint strategy to better protect the human rights of these vulnerable groups.

Rights of older persons:

- A major concerns of government stakeholders, public and national institutions

- Human rights stakeholders should fight against all violations, marginalization and discrimination against this vulnerable group

Rights of persons with disabilities:

- According to UN statistics, 15% of the world population live with a disability, the majority from developing countries, where the population already suffer from the lack of services like access to health

- In Africa, the number of persons with disability is increasing and their situation is deteriorating because of violent conflicts, poverty and lack of access to health services

- Improving life conditions of persons with disability should be part of the African National human rights institutions’ plans of action and programs.

Mr. El Yazami indicated that NHRIs should encourage their respective states to ratify the Convection on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and reinforce their work mechanisms to protect and promote the rights of these groups. African NHRIs are required to collaborate with the African Working Group on Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa to build a joint strategy to protect the rights of these groups.

National human rights institutions cannot play the role of states. They are, however, major stakeholders to play an important role in the integration of older persons and persons with disabilities. They can mobilize the public and raise awareness on their rights, contribute to putting forward legal frameworks and policies to protect their rights, launch initiatives to integrate them in the different sectors, etc., NANHRI outgoing president concluded.

The 8th Biennial Conference has brought together the leadership of African NHRIs, members of relevant United Nations agencies, treaty bodies, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, state representatives and members of parliament as well as experts from civil society and academia.

The participants resolved to strengthen the role of African NHRIs, State parties, civil society and other relevant stakeholders in the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities; encourage governments to ratify, domesticate and implement international and regional human rights instruments and obligations concerning the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities; raise awareness of and ensure that a human rights based approach is incorporated into education programs that promote relevant international and regional human rights instruments concerning the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities; recommend legislative and administrative reforms to the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with international standards; share experiences, best practices and challenges; engage in research and documentation in relation to the rights of persons with disabilities and older persons including human rights violations; engage and interact with international and regional human rights mechanisms, international NGOs, UN agencies and other partners to protect; develop common positions of engagement with international and regional human rights mechanisms in relation to persons with disabilities and older persons, working cooperatively with the International coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) and any other relevant bodies; monitor and report on the states obligation under the CRPD and review policies and agreements on trade taking into account concerns of persons with disabilities and older persons.

The (Moroccan) National Human Rights Council has been chairing the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions since the 7th Biennial NANHRI Conference, held in Rabat in November 2009. It handed over this chairmanship of to the South African Human Rights Commission during the Network’s General Assembly, held on October 19, 2011.