International Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: A Study on the Role of Specialized Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations

Abstract

This study, titled "International Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: A Study on the Role of Specialized Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations," utilizes a descriptive analytical methodology to examine the multifaceted roles played by international actors in safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The research addresses the critical question of how both specialized intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) contribute to establishing and implementing protective mechanisms, particularly since domestic legislation alone has proven insufficient. The study is divided into two main sections: the role of specialized governmental organizations and the role of non-governmental organizations. The first section highlights the contributions of key specialized intergovernmental organizations. The International Labour Organization (ILO) established early international instruments focusing on vocational rehabilitation and employment for PWDs, issuing Recommendation No. 122 of 1925 and the 1958 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, and stressing the importance of access to training and suitable work. The World Health Organization (WHO) focused on preventive measures, raising health standards, and developing the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) strategy. Furthermore, WHO spearheaded the adoption of the Global Disability Action Plan in 2014 to remove barriers and enhance rehabilitation services. Lastly, UNESCO's role, while indirect, concentrated on combating discrimination in education through the 1960 Convention and promoting the principles of Inclusive Education, though it has not dedicated a standalone convention solely to PWDs. The second section investigates the complementary role of NGOs. Amnesty International has actively monitored and reported on severe human rights violations against PWDs, focusing particularly on those with mental and psychosocial disabilities in care facilities and prisons, documenting cases of neglect, abuse, and deprivation of basic rights in various countries. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has focused its efforts on preventing disability through its campaigns to ban anti-personnel landmines and by providing vital rehabilitative services. The ICRC established a special fund for PWDs in 1983 to set up physical rehabilitation centers, ensuring their full participation and integration into society, especially for victims of armed conflict. The conclusion emphasizes the active partnership between both types of organizations, with the former providing legal and policy frameworks, and the latter ensuring implementation and filling service delivery gaps. The study recommends developing more effective monitoring mechanisms, establishing a unified international database, and increasing dedicated funding