Statement of the representative of the Russian Federation

at the Conference to launch the Council of Europe Disability Strategy 2017-2023

"Human rights: a reality for all"

(Nicosia, 27-28 March 2017)

Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

         Taking care of disabled persons which is aimed at giving them equal opportunities to exercise their human rights is a constant element of the social policy of the Russian Federation. In this context the scale and importance of this Conference, which is organized in the framework of the Cyprus chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, could hardly be overestimated.

         In view of the above, we would like to express our gratitude to the organizers, as such events give us the opportunity to share national approaches and examples of best practices in the focus area, on the one hand, and to compare all the above with global trends, on the other hand.

         The Russian Federation attaches great importance to the issues of non-discrimination and equality of rights for all, including persons with disabilities, and supports the work of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE on this track.         

We think that in order to address modern challenges in this regardit is important to elaborate new strategic documents, which although not always legally binding, can be used as a good basis for the the CoE member States, which enjoy a margin of appreciation on how to implement their own policies with regard to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities according to their national legislation, including a wider interpretation of categories of people in need of special care.

We hope that the the Council of Europe Disability Strategy will also correspond to these aims.

         After the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2012, the Russian legislation has fundamentally changed. It affected not only disabled persons, who make up about 9% of our population (approximately 13 million people), but also a wider group of people with limited mobility.

         A special federal law that regulates the realization of this Convention in Russia is in force since 2016. This document has substantively broadened and specified the obligation of the State (on federal, regional and municipal levels) and non-state providers of services in the sphere of their accessibility to disabled persons. According to this law discrimination based on disability is prohibited. In Russia a solid legal framework was established to protect rights of persons with disabilities (including through administrative and judicial procedures), as well as legal mechanisms to establish a barrier-free environment for disabled persons.

A state program «Accessible Environment»2011-2020 aimed at creating «barrier-free» living conditions for persons with disabilities all over the country has become the main practical tool for the implementation of appropriate measures towards disabled persons in the Russian Federation. The full-scale implementation of this program is aimed at creating conditions for people with disabilities to live independently. 

         As a result of the implementation of this program the number of inculsive schools will be increased by more than 5 times by 2020.

         Our legislation also regulates issues of accessibility of disabled persons to cultural institutions (theatres, museums, libraries, entertainment establishments, cinemas etc.).

         Work on adapting sports facilities for the needs of disabled persons is being undertaken in the framework of preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in various cities of Russia.

         Sport is one of the most important factors of integration of persons with disabilities into society. The Russian Federation gives priority to promoting the development of sports for them. In 2014 the XI Winter Paralympic Games were held successfully in Sochi. In 2015 two Russian cities - Khanty-Mansiisk and Magnitogorsk - were hosting the XVIII Winter Deaflympics Games.

Unfortunately, recently the world has witnessed a cynical imposition of sanctions against innocent Paralympic sportsmen from Russia. The most shocking fact is that, with reference to an unsubstantiated McLaren report, our Paralympic athletes were instantly denied of their dream they had lived and worked for a long time. Many of these people even lost meaning of their lives. Here it should be also noted that the individuals in question have limited opportunities, which adds to the cynicism surrounding these events. Today it can be said with certainty that from a moral point of view such a decision is unfair and violates the norms of humanism.

And we regret that many of those who call themselves “defenders of the rights of persons with disabilities” preferred to turn out blind and deaf in order not to respond to this flagrant violation of human rights.

The moral state of a society is determined by its attitude to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of population. In Russia we pay special attention to these categories of people, taking into account relevant UN decisions and recommendations.

There is no universal formula for all the member-States on how to develop rights and opportunities for disabled persons and other vulnerable groups of population. Nevertheless the exchange of experience and best practices between States in this sphere continue to be in demand by all of us.

We are ready to cooperate with a wide range of partners in order to achieve this goal.

Thank you.