A/HRC/43/27 exaggerated as a great feat. According to this stereotype, everyday achievements are given extraordinary prominence, which even surpass standards of normality, “in spite” of their impairment. This is often referred to as the phenomenon of a “superhero” whose focus is on inspiration and serving as a role model for persons with disabilities and others alike. 25. “Persons with disabilities are mystical or sinister (stereotyped as cursed, possessed by spirits, practitioners of witchcraft, harmful or bringing either good or bad luck).” Certain beliefs in some countries and cultures posit that persons with disabilities have superpowers and/or are magical, or are cursed or possessed by demons, which leads to harmful practices against them.9 In extreme cases, persons with disabilities, such as persons with albinism, may be abducted, attacked and murdered so that their body parts can be used in witchcraft for good fortune and health. In addition, women with disabilities, particularly young women and girls, may be targeted and raped by men with HIV, which is linked to the myth of virgin cleansing. 2. Disability-based discrimination 26. The above-mentioned stereotypes lead to disability-based discrimination, which encompasses any distinction, exclusion or restriction on the basis of disability that has the purpose or effect of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. 10 It includes all forms of discrimination, such as direct or indirect discrimination, discrimination by association, denial of reasonable accommodation, structural and systemic discrimination and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.11 27. Disability-based discrimination is commonly seen as unintended. As a result, antidiscrimination measures tend to be less rigorous, both in their consequences and in their implementation. Awareness-raising as a tool to combat discrimination is not an exception to this rule. Protection against discrimination considers both intended and unintended discrimination and awareness-raising strategies should consider the multiple perspectives operating behind them. 28. Disability-based discrimination can have consequences beyond those for persons with disabilities and affect others by “association”.12 For example, the parents of persons with disabilities, particularly women, are disproportionally discriminated against in employment on the assumption that their extra care duties may result in higher absenteeism or less dedication to the job. Flexible arrangements and reasonable accommodation are antidiscriminatory measures that can help to overcome possible requirements from employees and avoid disability-based discrimination.13 29. Persons with disabilities most commonly face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, usually on the grounds of age, disability, ethnic, indigenous, national or social origin, gender identity, political or other opinion, race, refugee, migrant or asylum seeker status, religion, sex or sexual orientation. Awareness-raising strategies should consider the realities of persons with disabilities exposed to these forms of discrimination, particularly women and girls with disabilities, and the multidimensional layers of identities, statuses and life circumstances.14 3. Language and hate speech 30. Language plays a critical role in shaping and reflecting our thoughts, beliefs and feelings; it embodies and develops social and cultural values and serves as an instrument for their communication. Accepted language to refer to persons with disabilities varies 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 CRPD/C/UGA/CO/1, para. 18. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, art. 2. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, general comment No. 6 (2018) on equality and non-discrimination, paras. 18–22. Ibid., para. 20. CRPD/C/EU/CO/1, paras. 78–79. General comment No. 3, para. 16.