Main tasks

Under the supervision of the European Committee for Social Cohesion, Human Dignity and Equality (CDDECS), the DECS-RPD will conduct the intergovernmental work in the field of disability rights assigned to it by the Committee of Ministers. The DECS-RPD will:

1. draw up the Council of Europe Disability Strategy for the period 2016-2019, in consultation with relevant international and civil society organisations, and experts and partners working in the area of the rights of persons with disabilities;
2. support the overall implementation of the future Council of Europe Disability Strategy (2016-2019), once adopted by the Committee of Ministers;
3. provide expertise to member States on the development of legislation, policies, practice, training schemes and awareness material to support implementation of relevant international standards, notably the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and facilitate exchange of experience and good practice;
4. conduct needs assessments and provides advice on the development of standards, co-operation and monitoring activities within its field of competence;
5. ensure that a disability perspective is introduced and maintained in the activities of  all relevant committees and bodies of the Organisation;
6. advise, through the CDDECS, the Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General on appropriate action to be taken and likewise provide advice as requested on disability-related questions as may arise;
7. engage in co-ordination and joint planning at international level with the European Union, the United Nations (UN), notably the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, other intergovernmental organisations, and civil society organisations;
8. in accordance with decisions CM/Del/Dec(2013)1168/10.2 of the Committee of Ministers, carry out, at regular intervals, within the limits of the available resources and bearing in mind its priorities, an examination of some or all of the conventions for which it has been given responsibility[1], in co-operation, where appropriate, with the relevant convention-based bodies, and report back to the Committee of Ministers.

Pillar/Sector/Programme

Pillar: Human Rights
Sector: Promoting Human Rights and Dignity
Programme: Equality and Diversity

Expected results

Standards, policies and activities are strengthened and implemented to ensure the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, notably through the following actions:

1. disability rights remain a visible human rights priority for the Organisation (internal and external);

2. the Council of Europe Disability Strategy (2016-19) is prepared and, once adopted by the Committee of Ministers, implemented;

3. the implementation of disability rights at national level is enhanced;

4. combating all forms of violence against, and stereotyping of, persons with disabilities is included on the political agendas of the Council of Europe member States and beyond; public awareness is raised, victims are supported and perpetrators are prosecuted;

5. the implementation of relevant Committee of Ministers’ recommendations is reviewed;

6. co-operation with (i) the UN and related agencies (namely the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, relevant UN Special Rapporteurs, the WHO, including through participation in relevant meetings (e.g., sessions of the Conference of  the States Parties to the UN CRPD, the Human Rights Council, events and conferences organised by UN Enable); (ii) the World Bank, (iii) the OSCE, (iv) the OECD, and (v) the European Union, is enhanced with the aim of strengthening disability rights as an integral part of universal human rights.

Composition

Members:

Governments of member States are invited to appoint representatives with the relevant qualifications and/or responsibility in the field of protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. The competencies of member States’ representatives to the Committee should correspond to the comprehensive multidisciplinary nature of the disability-related activities and projects.

The Council of Europe budget will bear the travelling and subsistence expenses of one representative from each member State (two in the case of the State whose representative has been elected Chair).

Member States may send other representatives without defrayal of expenses.

Each member of the committee shall have one vote. Where a government designates more than one member, only one of them is entitled to take part in the voting.

Participants:

The following may send representatives, without the right to vote and at the charge of their corresponding administrative budgets:

- Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;

- Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe;

- European Court of Human Rights;

- Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights;

- Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe;

- Committees or other bodies of the Council of Europe engaged in related work, as appropriate.

The following may send representatives, without the right to vote and without defrayal of expenses:

- The European Union (including as appropriate the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA));

- Observer States to the Council of Europe: Canada, Holy See, Japan, Mexico, United States of America;

- United Nations Organisation (UN); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF); World Health Organization (WHO); International Labour Organisation (ILO); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);

- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);

- Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE);

- The World Bank;

- Nordic Centre for Welfare and Social Issues (NVC) under the aegis of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Observers:

The following organisations may send representatives, without the right to vote and without defrayal of expenses:

- European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD);

- European Disability Forum (EDF);

- Rehabilitation International (RI).

Working methods

Meetings:

48 members, 1 meeting in 2016, 3 days

48 members, 1 meeting in 2017, 3 days

The Committee will appoint a Gender Equality Rapporteur from amongst its members.

The Committee’s work shall include relevant transversal perspectives, inter alia, on children, youth, gender and ageing of persons with disabilities, in all areas of their work.

The rules of procedure of the Committee are governed by Resolution CM/Res(2011)24 on intergovernmental committees and subordinate bodies, their terms of reference and working methods.

Meetings

per year

Number

of days

Members

Plenary

€

Bureau

€

Subordinate structures/
Working groups

Secretariat
(A, B)

1

3

48

Meetings

per year

Number

of days

Members

Plenary

€

Bureau

€

Subordinate structures/
Working groups

Secretariat
(A, B)

1

3

48