Watch Event Recording: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1g/k1ggvzxf0f

On Monday, June 10th, 2024 the UN COSP17 side event "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Strategic Litigation" took place in Washington, DC. 

This side event aimed at raising awareness among organizations of persons with disabilities about employing litigation of the rights of persons with disabilities as a strategic tool to promote, develop and entrench these rights.

Priscila Rodríguez, Associate Director for Advocacy at Disability Rights International, was invited to speak at the event. She shared, 

DRI has just won a case at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights regarding the abuses of hundreds of individuals detained in a public psychiatric facility. The decision in the case will have a profound impact on litigating the rights of persons with disabilities in the region and worldwide as it incorporates and recognizes language from the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and by the Committee. The decision if implemented will also create structural change for the victims and for all people with disabilities in the country and throughout the Americas.

In addition to Disability Rights International, the event featured the following speakers and organizations:

Moderator

• Markus Schefer: CRPD, Faculty of Law University of Basel

Speakers

• Rosemary Kayess: CRPD, Disability Discrimination Commissioner of Australia

• Priscila Rodríguez: Disability Rights International

• Steven Allen: Validity Foundation

• Olga Manfredi: Swiss Paraplegic Association

• Caroline Hess-Klein: Inclusion Handicap Switzerland

Watch the the full event recording at the link above.