Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you Chair.
New Zealand would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his presentation today and for his report on such an important topic.
We know that persons with disabilities face particular barriers in ensuring that their rights are protected in situations of conflict, as well as disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
We welcome the focus on disaggregated data for persons with disabilities.
In a world of overlapping crises, whether climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, conflict, or otherwise, it is clear that building a better understanding of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities is critical to finding solutions.
New Zealand is proud to co-lead, with Mexico, the biennial resolution on implementation of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Next year we will facilitate a resolution to address the topic of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.
Chair,
Persons with disabilities often face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.
New Zealand is proud to have established the world’s first dedicated Ministry of Disabled People, Whaikaha, in 2022.
This Ministry will be dedicated to working in partnership with people with disabilities to ensure the Government meets its obligations.
This includes our commitments made under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The New Zealand Government is also working closely with civil society and disabled peoples’ organisations to ensure the voices of persons with disabilities are at the table, so that our Ministry can embody the principle of “nothing about us without us”.
New Zealand was examined before the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in August. We found this constructive and helpful, and we have agreed a formal internal process to respond to the Committee’s Concluding Observations.
Chair,
We have two questions for the Special Rapporteur. First, New Zealand is a strong supporter of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy. Could you update us on your involvement in its effective implementation and any recommendations you may have for member states for next steps?
Second, given the focus of your report, do you have any specific recommendations for UN Peacekeeping missions in order to ensure they sufficiently prioritise and integrate the rights of persons with disabilities?
Thank you.