Working paper on best practice to maintain states obligations under the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities during public health crises

Flynn, Eilionóir, Doyle Guilloud, Suzanne, & Parker, April. (2022). Working paper on best practice to maintain states obligations under the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities during public health crises. Galway: Centre for Disability Law And Policy, University of Galway. https://doi.org/10.13025/rasz-fp25

Abstract

This working paper sets out the applicable standards for States to maintain their obligations towards persons with disabilities under international law in situations of emergency such as the Covid-19 pandemic. About 15% of the world population (c. 1 billion people) are living with impairments1 which would fall within the definition of a ‘person with a disability’ under the CRPD2. The paper takes the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) as its normative framework and focuses on States Parties’ obligations towards those individuals with regard to their health and wellbeing in public health crises, taking a broad definition of those terms. As Armitage and Nellums note, even prior to the pandemic, persons with disabilities were less likely to access health services, while being more likely to experience ‘greater health needs, worse outcomes, and discriminatory laws and stigma’3, contrary to States parties’ obligations under the CRPD.

Funder

Health Research Board
Health Research Board

Publisher

Centre for Disability Law And Policy, University of Galway

Rights

CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IE

cbn

Collections

School of Law (Working Papers)