In the framework of permanent cooperation with United Nations’ bodies and officials, our Association sent the input to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for its thematic study on the rights of persons with disabilities and disability-inclusive infrastructure, including transport and housing, to be presented at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, executing Council’s resolution 55/8.
ARC’s submission, published at the official UN web sources now, reminded the OHCHR that Russian attacks against Ukrainian non-combatants, including medical and social personnel, and against Ukrainian civil infrastructure have features of state terrorism and made a strong negative influence on the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities, including access to the disability-inclusive infrastructure.
ARC’s submission stressed again that Russian repressions in the Crimea and other Russia-occupied territories of Ukraine brutally violate the rights of persons with disabilities who reflect their own social or religious position that is not in compliance with Russian militaristic, chauvinistic, and Nazi propaganda.
ARC’s submission pointed out that in conditions of hostilities, interstate conflicts, aggressions, and foreign occupation, the demands of the Rome Statute, the Geneva Convention and Additional Protocols to them, and the International Criminal Court must be taken into account in issues of rights of persons with disabilities, including ongoing challenges regarding the access to the disability-inclusive infrastructure.
ARC’s submission added that issues of state terrorism and financing of terrorist groups, as well as the illegal activities of mercenaries, paramilitary structures, and militaristic and racist propaganda against persons with disabilities in conflict zones and zones of foreign effective control, must be reflected in OHCHR reports.
ARC’s submission also stressed that issues of disinformation, enforced disappearances, illegal imprisonment and fines, hate speech, racial discrimination, and genocidal policy against persons with disabilities, especially those belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples, in conflict zones and zones of foreign effective control must be taken into account, including the situations with lack of access to the disability-inclusive infrastructure at the relevant jails and other non-freedom places.
