On 9 September 2022, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted the Guidelines on deinstitutionalisation, including in emergencies. The aim of these first global guidelines on deinstitutionalisation is to guide and support States parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in their efforts to realise the right of persons with disabilities to live independently and to be included in the community. They complement the Committee’s General Comment No. 5 (2017) on Article 19 CRPD and its guidelines on the right to liberty and security of persons with disabilities.
The Guidelines draw on the experiences of persons with disabilities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which uncovered widespread institutionalisation, highlighting the harmful impact of institutionalisation on the rights and lives of persons with disabilities, and the violence, neglect, abuse, ill-treatment and torture, including chemical, mechanical and physical restraints, that they experience in institutions. The guidelines were adopted after a participatory process, with input provided by over 500 persons with disabilities and organisations from across the world and following consultation with States and other stakeholders.
The UN OHCHR Regional Office in Brussels and the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL are organising this event in order to introduce the Guidelines to key EU stakeholders, and to discuss their implication on the funding and provision of supports and services to persons with disabilities of all ages. As party to the UN CRPD, both the European Union institutions and all 27 Member States have an obligation to close down institutions, place a moratorium on new admissions and to ensure that all persons with disabilities have opportunities to live independently and to be included in the community.
The European launch will take place at the UN House, Boulevard du Régent 37-40 in Brussels, on 1 December 2022, from 9:30 – 12:00 (followed by a networking lunch). Participation is possible in person (limited number of places) or online (Microsoft Teams). Closed captioning in English and international sign language will be provided for those participating online. Once you complete the registration form, we will be in touch to see if you wish to join us at the UN House or online, and will send you further instructions. In addition to organising the European event, a social media campaign will be launched on 1 December with key messages from the Guidelines.
Register here to take part in the European launch of the Guidelines on deinstitutionalisation (in person or online)
This event is co-funded by the European Union and is supported by the Disability Rights Fund. The Draft Programme is available here.