A/HRC/10/48
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A. Focal points and coordination mechanisms at government level
60. Other non-binding United Nations instruments such as the 1993 Standard Rules on the
Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities recommended the establishment of
entities at government level to serve “as national focal points on disability matters”.49 Numerous
States that contributed to this study, therefore, reported on the existence of focal points and/or
entities assigned responsibilities related to the development, implementation and monitoring of
policies and programmes on disability.50
61. With a view to ensuring compliance with the Convention, it is recommended that States
parties to the Convention or those considering ratification undertake an assessment of existing
institutions with a view to adopting the necessary amendments for compliance with article 33
where required. The submission of Nepal, for example, makes specific reference to the need to
critically revise the existing institutional framework for effectiveness and compliance with the
Convention.51 The mandate of government focal points should specifically include overseeing
the implementation of the Convention, as acknowledged in the submission of Cyprus.52
62. Furthermore, while the Convention does not make specific recommendations as to the
form and function of such entities, several considerations should be noted: ideally, the focal
point (or focal points) should be located at the highest level of government, for example at the
level of a minister or a commissioner within a given ministry. The establishment of a focal point
or points and its/their mandate should take place through legal measures. The mandate should
clearly address the need for coherent and coordinated government activity in the area of
disability, and the focal point/s shall be allocated adequate human and financial resources. These
entities should be adequately resourced in order to positively contribute to the implementation of
national strategies and plans adopted to give effect to the Convention.
63. The establishment of a coordination mechanism at government level in addition to focal
points is encouraged under the Convention, although optional.53 A coordination mechanism
might take the shape of an inter-ministerial group, tasked with coordinating implementation of
the Convention across respective departments/sectors or levels of government and could prove
particularly beneficial in systems of devolved administration, such as federal States.
49
General Assembly resolution 48/96, annex, Rule 17.
50
This is the case for example of Argentina, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama,
Qatar, Spain, Thailand and Turkey.
51
See the contributions of States available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/
disability/HRCResolution79.htm.
52
Ibid.
53
CRPD, art. 33, para. 1.
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