A/HRC/31/62 requires parties to deal honestly and fairly with each other, represent their motives and purposes truthfully, and refrain from taking any unfair advantage. 46 79. Consequently, good faith should be a foundation stone of all State actions during processes of dialogue and consultation with representative organizations of persons with disabilities, and should permeate States’ interpretations of their own rules for participation in public decisions. Consultations must embrace transparency, mutual respect, meaningful dialogue and a sincere desire to reach consensus. They must take place in accordance with procedures that are appropriate to the circumstances of the diversity of the disability movement and must allow for reasonable and realistic timelines.47 80. States should undertake periodic evaluations of the functioning of the different participation and consultation mechanisms, with the active involvement of representative organizations of persons with disabilities, to ensure that the principle of good faith is being respected. Contributions to the present report highlight the importance of developing codes of conduct for consultation and engagement with CSOs. 6. Awareness-raising 81. Due to stigma and segregation, persons with disabilities often remain invisible in society and their opinions are not duly taken into account or recognized as valid. States must raise the awareness of societies about the importance of persons with disabilities participating in public decisions and about the positive impact that they have on the decision-making. They should develop specific training programmes targeted at authorities and public officials, especially those involved in policymaking. These actions must be undertaken in consultation with representative organizations of persons with disabilities, and the active participation of persons with disabilities as teachers, instructors or advisors must be ensured. 82. States should implement awareness-raising training programmes on the rights of persons with disabilities. Organizations of persons with disabilities can contribute to these efforts by educating persons with disabilities about their rights and responsibilities and about how proposed policies and decisions would affect their lives. Awareness-raising and education programmes on a rights-based approach to disability can also contribute to the promotion and protection of democracy. D. Key areas for participation 1. Legal harmonization 83. States parties to international and regional human rights instruments have an obligation to ensure that their domestic legislation is consistent with international standards. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires States to adopt all the appropriate legislative measures to implement the human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to repeal any inconsistent legislation. Therefore, States should undertake a holistic review of the adequacy of their existing legislation, in view of their obligations under the Convention. During this process, States must closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities through their representative organizations. 46 47 Anthony D’Amato, “Good faith”, Encyclopedia of Public International Law (1992), p. 599. See CRPD/C/HUN/CO/1, para. 14. 19