Statement and Speeches
This page includes links to statements on the rights of persons with disabilities delivered by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as other OHCHR representatives.
Statements of the High Commissioner
Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, at the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
3 December 2020
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities of the Human Rights Council on awareness-raising, article 8 of the CRPD
6 March 2020
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities of the Human Rights Council on habilitation and rehabilitation, article 26 of the CRPD
6 March 2019
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, at the annual meeting on the rights of the child of the Human Rights Council on crucial opportunity to focus on empowering children with disabilities, and realizing their rights – particularly through inclusive education
4 March 2019
Keynote speech by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on the occasion of "20 years of protection. Celebrating 20 years since the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force"
1 March 2019
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, at the consultation on human rights and mental health
14 May 2018
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, at the opening of the 2016 Social Forum of the Human Rights Council on the promotion and full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in the context of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
3 October 2016
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities of the Human Rights Council on humanitarian action and persons with disabilities, article 11 of the CRPD
4 March 2016
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities at the Human Rights Council on work and employment of persons with disabilities, article 27 of the CRPD
6 March 2013
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities at the Human Rights Council on participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life, article 29 of the CRPD
1 March 2012
Address of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, on the occasion of the Opening of the XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in Durban, South Africa
18 July 2011
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities of the Human Rights Council on international cooperation to support national efforts to promote the objectives and purpose of the CRPD
4 March 2011
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities at the Human Rights Council on national frameworks for the implementation and monitoring of the CRPD
5 March 2010
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities at the Human Rights Council on key legal measures for the ratification and implementation of the CRPD
6 March 2009
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, on the occasion of the Human Rights Council’s Special Event to mark the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol
6 June 2008
Arbour welcomes entry into force of "ground-breaking" convention on disabilities
4 April 2008
Opening remarks of the High Commissioner on the occasion of the signing ceremony for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol
Opening address of the High Commissioner at the High-Level Dialogue to mark the occasion of the opening for signature of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
30 March 2007
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights makes six commitments to improve the right to decent work for staff with disabilities:
commitments and
press release
3 December 2007
Address of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the closure of the 8th session of the Ad Hoc Committee
5 December 2006
Speaking notes of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the lunchtime briefing during the 2nd session of the Human Rights Council
25 September 2006
Address of the High Commissioner to the 7th session of the Ad Hoc Committee
27 January 2006
Other statements
Statement of the Deputy High Commissioner, Nada Al-Nashif, at the panel discussion on the impacts, opportunities and challenges of new and emerging digital technologies with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights of the Human Rights Council on climate change and persons with disabilities
8 July 2020
Statement of the Director of the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Craig Mokhiber, at the Interactive Dialogue on Implementation of the Convention between States Parties and the UN System of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
13 June 2019
Statement of the Director of the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Craig Mokhiber, at the Interactive Dialogue on Implementation of the Convention between States Parties and the UN System of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
14 June 2018
Statement of the Deputy High Commissioner, Kate Gilmore, at the interactive debate of the Human Rights Council on access to justice of persons with disabilities, article 13 of the CRPD
7 March 2018
Statement of the Director and Deputy to the Assistant-Secretary General for Human Rights of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Craig Mokhiber, at the Interactive Dialogue on Implementation of the Convention between States Parties and the UN System of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD
15 June 2017
Statement by the Director of the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division, Adam Abdelmoula, at the interactive debate of the Human Rights Council on equality and non-discrimination, article 5 of the CRPD
3 March 2017
Statement of the Deputy High Commissioner, Kate Gilmore, at the closing of the 2016 Social Forum of the Human Rights Council on the promotion and full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in the context of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
5 October 2016
Statement of the director of the Research and Right to Development Division of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jane Connors, at the interactive debate of the Human Rights Council on the right to live independently and be included in the community, article 19 of the CRPD
10 March 2015
Statement of the Deputy High Commissioner, Flavia Pansieri at the interactive debate of the Human Rights Council on inclusive education, article 24 of the CRPD
19 March 2014
Statement of the Deputy High Commissioner at the celebration of the entry into force of CRPD and its OP
2 May 2008
