Today, on 25th January 2021, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities announced a set of seven regional consultations on deinstitutionalisation, which will take place in the first half of 2021. Based on the contributions received, the Committee will prepare the first draft Guidelines on Deinstitutionalisation, including in emergency situations.

Who can take part? Persons with disabilities, through their representative organizations.  Organizations of children and young persons with disabilities, self-advocacy organizations, organizations of persons with intellectual disabilities, of persons with psychosocial disabilities, and organizations of women with disabilities are encouraged to participate. Other interested organizations or entities may attend as observers.

When is the first consultation taking place? The first regional consultation will be for countries in Central Asia and Eastern Europe (non-EU countries). It will take place on Thursday, 25 February 2021, from 9:00 – 18:00 CET (please check the time allocated to your country). This particular consultation will be in English and Russian. Other consultations will follow; the one for countries in Central and South America is scheduled for 2 March 2021, while other dates will be announced in due course.How can you take part? To take part, you need to register and submit and written statement by 12 February 2021. You can find all the information under this link.

Is it possible to take part in any other way? Yes. If individuals or organisations are not able to join the online consultation, they can send a written statement, a video message or a voice recording. Please check the above link for more information and contact details.</div

What is ENIL’s role? ENIL is helping the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities disseminate this call and make sure that our members in Europe and other interested DPOs contribute to the consultation. If you have any questions, please write to ines.bulic@enil.eu.