Home > Make Your Voices Count! Calls for Input from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities

Make Your Voices Count! Calls for Input from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities

Photo o Indonesian OPDs led by women with disabilities.

Women with disabilities in Indonesia advocating for an inclusive anti gender-based violence bill.

“When persons with disabilities participate in decision-making processes, it provides strong support towards ensuring that policies, strategies, programmes and operations to be more effective in addressing barriers to inclusion and more relevant in supporting their full and equal participation. Persons with disabilities have first-hand experience of the challenges they face and know better what can be done to enhance their rights and wellbeing. In addition, active participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations is a key part of shifting attitudes and dismantling stigma.”  

— Consultation Guidelines of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy 

Our views matter on all matters: Nothing without us! 

In line with Article 4(3) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), persons with disabilities and their representative organisations should be closely consulted and actively involved in matters concerning them. This includes persons with disabilities in all their diversity- children, women, older persons, persons with diverse SOGIESC, Indigenous peoples, migrants and others, as well as persons representing different disability constituencies.

Our unique perspectives draw on our own expertise and experiences and can help shape and inform programmes, policies and practices – including beyond disability-specific matters- to strengthen inclusion for everyone. 

Let’s put our participation to practice by seizing these opportunities*:

*Information on this webpage will be updated regularly. Don’t miss out: place a bookmark for easy access to check on the latest calls for contributions.

The Special Rapporteur will examine from an intersectional perspective how different groups are impacted by major drivers of displacement and to what extent their participation and specific needs are addressed as part of the process to deliver durable solutions to their displacement. She will study displacement drivers, barriers to, and catalysts for protection and enjoyment of human rights, and durable solution on the following themes:

  • Climate change and internal displacement
  • Internal displacement due to generalized violence, including the role of criminal violence
  • Internally displaced persons and peace negotiations, mediation and peace processes, and peacebuilding
  • Sustainable integration and/or reintegration into the communities in which they settle or return to.

The Special Rapporteur wishes to identify aspects of these themes that merit a particular focus by the mandate, including issues that may have been neglected by other stakeholders or challenges which are particularly complex to resolve.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

The following questions are meant to guide the formulation of inputs.

Climate change and internal displacement

  1. What issues related to internal displacement and climate change are most serious in terms of protecting human rights, reducing barriers, and fostering conditions for progressively achieving durable solutions that would warrant the Special Rapporteur’s attention and reporting?
  2. What specific groups or populations are particularly or differentially affected by climate change and internal displacement? Is their meaningful and full participation ensured and if so, how? If not, what are the main obstacles?
  3. What actions would you suggest the Special Rapporteur take to address these issues, within the purview of her mandate and complementary to the actions of her predecessors?
  4. What are the main elements of effective preventive strategies for internal displacement driven by climate change, including adaptation measures and planned relocation policies?

(N.B. As the Special Rapporteur is particularly interested in topics which have not previously been addressed, see A/75/2017, A/66/285, A/64/214, A/HRC/10/13/Add. 1, and A/60/338 for examples of the mandate’s previous work on this theme)

Internal displacement due to generalized violence

  1. What kind of situations or issues fall under the umbrella of “generalized violence” as a cause for internal displacement in your countries or contexts?
  2. What issues related to generalized violence and internal displacement are most serious in terms of protecting human rights, reducing barriers, and fostering conditions for progressively achieving durable solutions that are insufficiently considered by other stakeholders that would warrant the Special Rapporteur’s attention and reporting?
  3. What drivers of generalized violence are most serious in terms of their human rights implications? Which of them are insufficiently considered by other stakeholders that would warrant the Special Rapporteur’s attention?
  4. What disproportionate impact does such violence have on specific groups? How are specific groups particularly or differentially affected by generalized violence and internal displacement?
  5. What are the main elements of effective preventive strategies to mitigate internal displacement driven by generalized violence?
  6. What actions would you suggest the Special Rapporteur take to address these issues, within the purview of her mandate and complementary to the actions of her predecessors?
  7. What can different stakeholders do to address the root causes of generalized violence?

(N.B. As the Special Rapporteur is particularly interested in topics which have not previously been addressed, please see A/76/169, A/HRC/38/39/Add. 1, and A/HRC/32/35/Add.4 for examples of the mandate’s previous work on this theme)

Internally displaced persons in peace negotiations or mediation processes and in peacebuilding to achieve sustainable peace

  1. What issues related to the human rights of internally displaced persons are most serious and/or least considered in such processes that would warrant the Special Rapporteur’s attention and reporting?
  2. How and when should internally displaced persons participate in peace negotiations, mediation processes and in peacebuilding?
  3. What specific groups or populations among internally displaced persons are underrepresented in or excluded from participation in such processes?
  4. What actions would you suggest the Special Rapporteur take to address these issues, within the purview of her mandate and complementary to the actions of her predecessors?
  5. How should peace negotiations, mediation processes and peace processes attempt to address the root causes of internal displacement?
  6. Do peace and/or mediation processes and peacebuilding efforts adequately address the needs of all internally displaced persons? What factors enable or inhibit this?
  7. What are effective strategies to ensure peace negotiations, peacebuilding efforts, other peace mediation processes, and peace agreements prevent future internal displacement?

(N.B. As the Special Rapporteur is particularly interested in topics which have not previously been addressed, please see A/73/173, A/68/225, A/HRC/10/13, and A/62/227 for examples of the mandate’s previous work on this theme)

(Re)integration of internally displaced persons

  1. What issues related to integration or reintegration of internally displaced persons are most serious in terms of protecting human rights, reducing barriers and fostering conditions for progressively achieving durable solutions that would warrant the Special Rapporteur’s attention and reporting?
  2. What specific groups or populations among internally displaced persons face particular challenges in integrating or reintegrating, and what are these challenges? Which challenges are faced by host communities and how to address them?
  3. What factors enable or impede the sustainability of integration or reintegration of internally displaced persons? Please refer to social cohesion, mental and psychological health, identity, cultural and spiritual factors.
  4. What actions would you suggest that the Special Rapporteur take to address these issues within the purview of her mandate and complementary to the actions of her predecessors?

(N.B. Please consider the theme of integration/reintegration of internally displaced persons within the context of and complementary to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and the work of the Office of the Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement)

Please send your responses to the questionnaire by 12 June 2023 in English, Spanish or French in Word format by email to Hrc-sr-idp@un.org with the subject line entitled: Input for report on thematic priorities of the SR IDPs. Submissions must not exceed 2,000 words.

For more information, visit the Special Rapporteur’s dedicated webpage. 

The Special Rapporteur welcomes all inputs on the topic of online hate speech and particularly invites stakeholders to provide information and share their views on the following points:

  • The different forms and manifestations of online hate speech, including online hate speech amounting to incitement to racial discrimination, hatred and violence.
  • How those facing discrimination on grounds including race, ethnicity, nationality, descent, religion, migration status and/or LGBTI status experience online hate speech experience online hate speech, including the experiences of those facing discrimination on multiple and intersecting grounds.
  • The nexus between online hate speech and false information and news.
  • The relationship between online hate speech, including, but not limited to, hate speech amounting to incitement to racial discrimination, hatred and violence and hate speech, hate crimes and related human rights violations, which take place offline.
  • The role of private companies in preventing and addressing online hate speech.
  • The key challenges faced in effectively preventing and addressing all forms and manifestations of online hate speech.
  • Any examples of good practice, demonstrating effective action to prevent, address and punish online hate speech, including through regulatory legislation, policies, education, counter-speech, steps to build societal support for plurality and/or prosecutions, when applicable,
  • Examples of the effective application of the Rabat Plan of Action’s six-part threshold test, as well as any challenges faced in the implementation of these criteria.
  • What are the experiences of victims of online hate speech who seek access to remedies following experiences of hate speech.

Please send your responses of no longer than 2500 words in Word or PDF formats in English, French or Spanish to hrc-sr-racism@un.org by 23 June 2023, with the subject line entitled: Input for report on online hate speech.

Public Availability of Submissions:
Submissions may be posted on the OHCHR website at the time of the report’s publication, except those containing a clear request not to be made public

Secure Submissions:
If you have concerns about digital security and your submission, you may wish to contact organizations that can provide you with information and support. One such organization, Access Now, has a free digital security helpline to help keep individuals and organizations safe online. Inquiries can be sent to help@accessnow.org.

For more information, visit the Special Rapporteur’s dedicated webpage. 

At its fifty-first session, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 51/3, in which it requested the Advisory Committee to prepare a study in an accessible format, including an easy-to-read version, on the impact, opportunities and challenges of neurotechnology with regard to the promotion and protection of all human rights, and to present the study to the Council at its fifty-seventh session (September 2024).

To facilitate the submission of inputs, the Advisory Committee is circulating a questionnaire on the topic Download the questionnaire (Word): English | French | Spanish

Additional information on the mandate can be found at this page:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/advisory-committee/neurotechnologies-and-human-rights

Questions include:

I. All stakeholders (core questions)

  1. Has your country taken any policy action or initiative in relation to neurotechnology and human rights at the national level? If so, please share any relevant information.
  2. Is there any actor in the public or private sector developing this kind of technology in your country? Please provide information, if possible.
  3. Indicate your level of awareness (high/medium/low) in relation to the state of development of neurotechnologies and preparedness to tackle the challenges posed by the early commercialization of these technologies.

Impact, opportunities and challenges

  • What human rights will be mostly impacted by the development and use of neurotechnologies? Identify the three rights most impacted and briefly explain why.
  • What are the biggest challenges and risks that the development, test and use of neurotechnologies pose to human rights? Will such risks be amplified by the development of consumer-oriented neurotechnologies?
  • What groups are more vulnerable or at risk? Please, identify three and explain why.
  • What methods can be used to identify and assess the potential risks and impact of these technologies on human rights, in particular the human rights of persons with disabilities and other groups in vulnerable situations? Will such risks be amplified by the development of consumer-oriented neurotechnologies?
  • From a human rights perspective, what opportunities could the use of neurotechnologies bring? Can these opportunities be balanced against the identified risks and impact?

National framework

  • Is the national legal framework adequate to face the challenges that the development, test and use of neurotechnologies pose to human rights? Please explain briefly and indicate the relevant pieces of legislation and whether there are plans to develop any (or further) legislation. 
  • Does national legislation on privacy and data protection cover mental privacy and/or personal brain data? Please explain.
  • From a human rights-protection perspective, what are the main domestic regulatory gaps that can be identified? What legal (or other) measures are necessary to avoid human rights violations arising from  the use of neurotechnologies in your opinion?
  • Is your national institutional framework for human rights well-equipped to address the new challenges posed by neurotechnologies?
  • What national entity would be best placed to exercise scrutiny and oversight to prevent potential abuses or misuses derived from the use of neurotechnologies? Is there any procedure in place to that effect?

International framework

  1. What are the main international regulatory and governance gaps that you have identified as regards neurotechnology and human rights?
  2. What actions would you advocate for to address these gaps and potential human rights impact at the international level? Please elaborate on specific normative or institutional measures you would propose and assess the feasibility of their implementation.
  3. What international organization, bodies, or agencies would be in your opinion best placed to oversee and prevent potential abuses or misuses resulting from the use of neurotechnologies?

II. Private actors and other stakeholders with experience or expertise in the subject-matter, such as medical and technical communities, and academic institutions (specific questions)

  1. What specific characteristics would you emphasise as unique and distinctive of neurotechnologies?
  2. Have you introduced or are you considering introducing any adjustment to your activities or business model such as incentives, indicators or performance metrics of governance in response to these specific characteristics? Please explain.
  3. Has your company/organization undertaken any specific action or measure to mitigate impacts arising from the use of neurotechnologies? Are any of these actions or measures specifically addressed to mitigate human rights risks?
  4. Does your company or organization implement the principles for responsible innovation in neurotechnology? Please elaborate.
  5. Has your company or organization developed or plans developing (or adopting) an ethical code of conduct or human rights strategy for the development, testing or commercialization of neurotechnologies? Please outline such initiatives and provide a copy of relevant documents, if possible. 
  6. What national regulation or framework do you consider is needed to avoid a potentially negative human rights impact of neurotechnology?
  7. Which regulatory framework such as application of specific, sectorial, national, autoregulation or a combination of them do you believe is best suited to the specific characteristics of neurotechnologies?

III. International and regional organizations; United Nations agencies, funds and programmes; national human rights institutions; and civil society (specific questions)

  • Please outline the relevant work that your organization, agency or department has done in relation to neurotechnology and human rights. Please share the main outcomes and recommendations (if applicable).
  • Please describe any measures undertaken aimed at coordinating, collaborating or seeking synergies with the work of other organizations in relation to neurotechnology.
  • What are the main international regulatory and governance gaps that you have identified as regards neurotechnology and human rights?

Any response to the questionnaire or inputs on the topic should be sent to the Secretariat of the Advisory Committee by 2 July 2023, either by email to OHCHR-hrcadvisorycommittee@un.org (indicating in the heading “Submission to the call for inputs on neurotechnology and human rights”).

For more information, visit the Advisory Committee’s dedicated webpage. 

In August 2022, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination held a thematic discussion with a view of elaborating a general recommendation on racial discrimination and the right to health under Article 5 (e)(iv) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). The event focused experiences shared by persons protected under ICERD, challenges and lessons learned and demonstrated the need to provide clarity and guidance on the obligations under the ICERD regarding the right to health.

Following the discussion, the Committee initiated the process of drafting the General Recommendation N° 37 on racial discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to health and adopted its first draft at its 109th session, in April 2023.

The Committee wishes to invite all interested stakeholders to provide comments on this first draft (see link below).

All stakeholders, including States, United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms, United Nations entities and specialised agencies, national human rights institutions, civil society and grassroot organisations, research institutions, academia and other relevant stakeholders (i.e., health-related entities, practitioners or laboratories) are invited to submit their written comments.

The current version of the draft General recommendation can be found here in English (original version), French and Spanish (informal translations).

Please send submissions in Word format in English, French, Spanish to  ohchr-cerd-gr37@un.org, by 4 August 2023.

Submissions should be concise and focused on the subject matter, if possible, precisely indicating the section or paragraphs to which comments are being made and must not exceed 5 pages.

Submissions will be posted on the CERD webpage except those containing a clear request not to be made public. It is the responsibility of the submitting stakeholder to ensure that its submission does not contain personal identifiable information.

For more information, visit the Committee’s dedicated webpage. 

The Special Rapporteur has completed a series of six thematic reports on the substantive elements of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, including clean air, safe and sufficient water, healthy and sustainably produced food, non-toxic environments, healthy ecosystems and biodiversity and a safe, livable climate. He would like to seek inputs on the procedural or participatory elements of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, including access to information, public participation and access to justice with effective remedies. In light of the Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment, the report will also address related topics including the rights to environmental education, freedom of expression and association, and safe spaces for environmental human rights defenders. The Special Rapporteur is seeking inputs on the topic from States, rightsholders and stakeholders through responses to the questions below.

Your replies will inform the Special Rapporteur’s analysis and contribute to a report, which will be presented at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

Questions

The Special Rapporteur invites and welcomes your answers to the following questions:

  1. What are States’ obligations—and businesses’ responsibilities—related to the rights to access information, public participation and access to justice with effective remedies in environmental matters? What are the major barriers to the full enjoyment of these rights? How can these barriers be overcome?
  2. What are States’ obligations related to the right to environmental education, and the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association in environmental contexts? What are the major barriers to the full enjoyment of these rights? How can these barriers be overcome?
  3. What can States and businesses do to ensure the safety of environmental human rights defenders?
  4. Please specify ways that the rights to environmental education, access to information, public participation and access to justice with effective remedies, freedom of expression and freedom of association can be fulfilled for populations who may be particularly vulnerable to climate and environmental harms (e.g. women, children, persons living in poverty, Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities, older persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic, racial or other minorities and displaced persons).
  5. To what extent have the two regional treaties on environmental democracy—the Aarhus Convention and the Escazu agreement—been effective in advancing human rights related to access to information, public participation, access to justice with effective remedies, environmental education, freedom of expression and association, and safe spaces for environmental human rights defenders?
  6. Please provide examples of good practices related to access to information, public participation, access to justice with effective remedies, environmental education, freedom of expression and association, and safe spaces for environmental human rights defenders.

Download the questionnaire (WORD):
English | Français | Español

Please send your responses to the questionnaire in English, Spanish or French in Word format by email to hrc-sr-environment@un.org. Submissions must be concise and limited to a maximum of 5 pages (or 2,000 words). The deadline for submission is 2 October 2023 (deadline extended)

All submissions will be made publicly available and posted on the Special Rapporteur’s homepage at the OHCHR website.

For more information, visit the Special Rapporteur’s dedicated webpage.