In the framework of permanent cooperation with UN bodies and agencies, our Association communicated this October with the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the field of preparing the draft Guidelines on addressing multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.
ARC’s submission, published at the official United Nations’ sources now, reminded of gross human rights violations and war crimes committed by Russian military and punitives against Ukrainian women and girls with disabilities, including killing, torture, discrimination, enforced deportations, and banning access to information and justice.
ARC’s submission added 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 women and girls.
ARC pointed to the UN Committee in the submission that in conditions of hostilities, interstate conflicts, aggressions, and foreign occupation, the demands of the Rome Statute, the Geneva Convention, and the Additional Protocols to them must be taken into account in issues of rights of persons with disabilities, including women and girls.
The role of the International Criminal Court and of international human rights institutions in cases of gross violations of rights of persons with disabilities, including multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination issues, in conflict zones and zones of foreign effective control must be taken into account.
ARC’s submission added that issues of illegal activities of mercenaries, paramilitary structures, militaristic and racist propaganda against persons with disabilities, including women and girls in conflict zones and zones of foreign effective control, must be reflected in Guidelines, as well as aspects of state terrorism and financing of terrorist groups, multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination issues, must be taken into account.
ARC’s submission stressed that the UN Committee’s Guidelines must also condemn the disinformation, hate speech, racial discrimination, and genocidal policy against persons with disabilities, including women and girls, especially those belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples, in conflict zones and zones of foreign effective control, including digital issues.
