International Commission of Jurists 115d ago

In this oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council, Sandra Epal-Ratjen, ICJ's International Advocacy Director, addresses the persistent barriers preventing persons with disabilities from participating in political and public life on an equal basis. Despite international obligations, many States continue to enforce discriminatory laws that exclude persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities from voting and holding office. The ICJ highlights four critical barriers: 🔹 Attitudinal barriers: rooted in stigma and stereotypes. 🔹Communication barriers: critical information is not provided in accessible formats. 🔹Physical barriers: such as inaccessible registration centres and polling stations. 🔹 Institutional barriers: including discriminatory laws and policies, such as disability-based voting restrictions, particularly affecting persons with psychosocial and/or intellectual disabilities. Learn more about our work on Disability Rights: https://www.icj.org/hrc61-oral-statement-of-the-icj-in-the-interactive-dialogue-with-the-special-rapporteur-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/ 0:00 Introduction 0:45 The Four Barriers to Participation 1:30 Underrepresentation in the Judiciary 2:10 Questions to the Special Rapporteur