UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Heba Hagrass.
A Nordic-Baltic Statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland.
11 March 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States – Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland.
We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report on the achievements of the mandate over the last decade and her vision for its continuation. The previous mandate holders have promoted the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life, and made them more visible in situations of armed conflict and humanitarian crises. All this has strengthened the rights-based approach to disability.
Yet much remains to be done. Limited implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development particularly affects persons with disabilities. The promising start of the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy needs to be expanded. Persons with disabilities need to have a say on global challenges, such as climate change and digital transformation. We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s intention to focus on these themes and to consolidate the work already undertaken.
Special rapporteur,
How can States best support you in your “push forward” for the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities?