COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES CONCLUDES DISCUSSION WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this afternoon concluded its discussion with non-governmental organizations and other bodies about the implementation and monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

During the discussion, a representative from the Association of World Citizens spoke on behalf of parents of children with autism, saying that these children needed additional support from governments, which often did not recognize their needs in their policies or with adequate financial support. Autistic children often needed assistance above and beyond what people with less complex disabilities needed. Their symptoms were often not visible at birth and this made the situation worse because their condition was often not recognized until they were older. This situation could be compounded for people who did not speak the language or did not have health insurance.

A representative of the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations Office at Geneva welcomed Ron McCallum’s re-election as Chairperson of the Committee and said Australia looked forward to the review of its initial report, which had recently been submitted.

The next public meeting of the Committee will be on Tuesday, 12 April at 10 a.m. when it will begin consideration of the initial report of Tunisia (CRPD/C/TUN/1). The review is scheduled to last for three meetings, concluding at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 13 April.


For use of the information media; not an official record

CRPD11/003E