A/HRC/7/61 page 4 I. ACTIVITIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DISABILITIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 5. Over 2007, OHCHR has continued to increase its work on human rights and disabilities, focusing principally on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. In keeping with the four substantive action points outlined in the High Commissioner’s Plan of Action, those activities have sought to promote: more synergy in the relationship between OHCHR and the various United Nations human rights bodies; an enhanced leadership role for the High Commissioner; greater country engagement; and, closer partnerships with civil society and the United Nations agencies. More synergy in the relationship between the Office of the High Commissioner and the various United Nations human rights bodies 6. With the adoption of the Convention and its Optional Protocol, the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities has been placed squarely on the international human rights agenda. Effective promotion and protection of these rights should proceed through a twin-track approach. First, the implementation of the Convention and its monitoring by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides expert and dedicated attention to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. Second, it will also be important that the other human rights mechanisms examine disability in the context of their mandates so that promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities becomes systematic. 7. Accordingly, in 2007, OHCHR continued its emphasis on assisting United Nations human rights bodies to mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities in their work. On 11 December 2006, OHCHR hosted an expert seminar on “Freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment and persons with disabilities” for the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, Mr. Manfred Nowak, and two members of the Committee against Torture, Mr. Luis Gallegos Chiriboga and Ms. Nora Swaess. The seminar examined the treatment of persons with disabilities, particularly in institutional settings, and discussed the extent to which it fell within the definition of torture set out in the Convention against Torture. The meeting also considered how “supported decision-making” models, the recognition of the legal capacity of persons with disabilities and the right to free and informed consent for medical treatment provided some means to protect against torture of persons with disabilities in institutional and medical settings. The seminar also considered ways that special procedures and treaty bodies could strengthen the monitoring of the rights of persons with disabilities in the context of their specific mandates. The seminar followed up on a similar expert seminar organized for the Special Rapporteur on the right to education in 2006, entitled “The right to education of persons with disabilities”. An enhanced leadership role for the High Commissioner 8. The Plan of Action and Strategic Management Plan for 2006-2007 highlighted an enhanced leadership role for the High Commissioner. In the area of human rights and disability, the High Commissioner has undertaken several activities in this regard. The High Commissioner