About the Disability Rights Unit

Over the course of the past two decades, the subject of disability as a human rights issue has become a topic of increasing concern to civil society (including Disabled Peoples’ Organisations – DPOs), governments and private actors across the globe. This concern comes in the wake of the coming into force of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 3 May 2008.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) have also joined the discussion and established the Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities with the mandate to inter alia draft a Concept Paper for consideration by the African Commission that will serve as a basis for the adoption of the Draft Protocol on Ageing and People with Disabilities.

Mission and Vision

The Disability Rights Unit at the Centre for Human Rights is committed to finding evidence-based ways of addressing the rights of persons with disabilities on the African continent. This includes conducting research on international disability rights standards and instruments, building capacity among governments, national human rights institutions, academia, civil society and communities, and engaging with judicial, quasi-judicial and non-judicial redress mechanisms.

The Centre has a proud history of collaboration with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Disability Rights programme is no exception. In light of this continuing relationship, the Centre assists the Working Group on Rights of Older Persons and People with Disabilities in fulfilling its mandate by lending research capacity and logistical support to the Working Group.

The Disability Rights Unit aims to contribute to the international disability rights discourse by assisting and collaborating with international organisations, academic partners, and civil society across the globe in taking targeted measures to advance the rights of persons with disabilities.

Disability Rights and Law Schools Project in Africa: Areas of focus

The Disability Rights and Law Schools Project in Africa supports but is not limited to the following activities of the Disability Rights Unit:

Disability Rights in an African context

Advanced Human Rights Course

Disability rights in an African context comes in the wake of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is part of the Centre’s efforts in promoting awareness about disability rights in the African region.

Disability Rights Annual Conference

2020

In 2020, the conference will focus on developing responses for overcoming barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the respect, protection and fulfilment of the right to health in the African region.

Disability Rights Publications

2013 - 2017

Drawing inspiration from the European Yearbook on Disability Law, it is the first publication of its kind that focuses on Africa. It aims to bring into prominence an area traditionally neglected by both African governments and academics.