DPOs entry points

State Parties are required to closely consult with and actively involve DPOs in the implementation of the CRPD. Responsibility for reporting lies with the State Party, but DPOs have opportunity to submit information and research, identify areas of concern, and make recommendations for future action.

DPOs are advised not to sit on drafting committees or write the report for the State Party. DPOs need to maintain their independent monitoring role through the submission of a parallel report.

DPOs in countries that have ratified the CRPD but whose reports may be considered to be “significantly overdue” should make a written request to the Committee that the situation in the country be considered even in the absence of a State Party report. If the Committee agrees to do so, DPOs should submit a comprehensive report on the implementation of the CRPD in the country in order to ensure that the Committee is able to review effectively the situation.

The CRPD requires that each State Party establish a framework to promote, protect and monitor the Convention. The framework may be composed of a single independent body or may include a number of entities. DPOs should be consulted in the establishment of the monitoring framework and both DPOs and experts who are persons with disabilities should be involved and participate in the framework.

The draft of the list of issues is prepared by the Country Rapporteur, a member of the Committee assigned to conduct an extensive study of the report under review. The list of issues is adopted in private, but any written information provided to the Committee by DPOs prior to the preparation of the list of issues may influence the issues that are raised by the Committee.

DPOs may be invited to meet with the Committee during the drafting of the list of issues. A written request must be made to the Committee at least two months prior to the session in which the list of issues will be discussed. DPOs are then invited to make an oral presentation of not more than fifteen minutes. The Committee requests that the presentation focus on the articles of the Convention.

The State Party is to respond to the list of issues in writing at least six weeks prior to the plenary session. The responses are requested to be brief, precise and direct and not exceed 30 pages. DPOs may wish to offer their own responses to the list of issues.

The State Party report is examined during a public session of the Committee. DPOs may attend as observers. DPOs may be able to meet with Committee members during the session in order to present additional information or to suggest possible questions to be raised with the State delegation.

Following the dialogue with the State Party, the Committee will issue concluding observations which will point out the positive aspects and difficulties impeding the implementation of the CRPD and the principle subjects of concern.

DPOs can meet with Committee members following the dialogue with the State Party in order to make suggestions as to which issues could be considered “priority concerns” and should be addressed within a short timeframe.

The concluding observations are made public on the last day of the Committee session and are sent to the State Party and the General Assembly of the UN and made available on the website of the Committee.

DPOs should monitor the efforts being made by the State Party to implement the recommendations and report to the Committee on the progress being made or lack thereof. Regular monitoring by DPOs will also assist in the preparation of parallel reports on periodic State Party reports.

The concluding observations should be used as a tool for DPOs to exert pressure on the government to follow up on the recommendations made by the Committee. DPOs should consider holding meetings with government officials in order to discuss the recommendations of the Committee and to lobby for changes in legislation and practice. DPOs can offer to work with the government in the elaboration of legislation, policy developments and strategies to implement the Committee’s recommendations.

The Committee holds an annual day of discussion in order to discuss issues of general interest with regards to the implementation of the CRPD. Days of general discussion are public meetings. At the end of the general discussion, the Committee prepares a set of recommendations.

Each State Party is required to coordinate a national policy on the CRPD. The Convention also requires States to put in place a framework to promote, protect and monitor the implementation of the CRPD.

Monitoring by civil society is the third pillar in national implementation and monitoring. Persons with disabilities and DPOs are to be actively involved and consulted in all decision-making processes relating to persons with disabilities including full participation in the monitoring process.