Global FN-konferens om funktionsrätt

Institutet för mänskliga rättigheter deltar i den globala FN-konferensen om funktionsrätt i New York (CoSP19). Vårt budskap: vi behöver göra betydligt mer för att leva upp till funktionsrättskonventionen. Särskilt oroande är tendensen till återgång till mer av ett medicinskt perspektiv.

I Sverige behöver vi också ta rekommendationen från FN:s funktionsrättskommitté om att bryta institutionaliseringen på stort allvar. Det är exempelvis mycket bekymmersamt hur barn med funktionsnedsättning utsätts för missförhållanden och isolering på särskilda statliga ungdomshem.

Vår direktör Fredrik Malmberg höll följande tal vid konferensen igår:

Speech by Fredrik Malmberg, director of the Swedish Institute for Human Rights

The Swedish Institute for Human Rights would like to express that it is an honour to participate for the first time at the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

We were established in 2022 and were accredited with A-status in 2024. We are a designated IMM and our work is centred on independently promoting and protecting human rights in Sweden and also particularly on promoting, protecting and monitoring the UNCRPD in Sweden.

We underline the importance of maintaining a clear focus on the human rights model of disability to advance the rights of persons with disabilities under the convention. In this context and in our work we find it essential to engage in meaningful dialogue with OPDs.

We see insufficient impact of the convention in law-making, national practice and outcomes. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has given Sweden important recommendations to improve implementation based on observations that express concern about a gradual return to a medical approach to disability.

Several ongoing reforms within education, accessibility and social security risk increasing exclusion and risk going against the obligation to progressively realize economic, social and cultural rights. State youth institutions and municipal services for persons with disabilities are often organized in forms leading to institutionalization. Segregating structures within employment, housing and education are cemented and in some ways worsening.

It is important to underline that on the horizon are also some promising initiatives, including inquiring qualifications for personal assistance, considering introducing state funding for legal representation in court and initiatives aiming at increasing competence regarding intellectual disability and autism.

To conclude, we encourage Sweden and other states to advance the paradigm shift to a human rights model of disability, including by reviewing legislation and taking other progressive measures to ensure rights for all in national reform agendas and international cooperation.

Thank you for your attention!