A/HRC/RES/31/6
Recognizing that persons with disabilities are often disproportionately affected in
situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the
occurrence of natural disasters, and in their aftermath, and that they are often at increased
risk of discrimination, exploitation and violence, including sexual and gender-based
violence, and stressing the particular impact that armed conflict has on persons with
disabilities,
Stressing the relevance of disaggregated data collection and analysis, including by
disability, as applicable, as an important element in the design of inclusive policies,
including those relating to situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict,
humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters,
Recognizing that persons with disabilities require specific protection and safety
measures, including in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict,
humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters, and recognizing the need
to support further participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the development
of and decision-making processes relating to such measures,
Underlining that persons with disabilities and their organizations are critical in the
assessment of disaster risk and in designing and implementing plans tailored to specific
requirements, taking into consideration, inter alia, the principles of universal design,
Recognizing that the needs of persons with disabilities are often overlooked in the
early phases of situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian
emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters, and the importance of providing timely
and appropriate reintegration and rehabilitation assistance to persons with disabilities, while
ensuring that their specific needs are addressed, in particular the needs of women and
children with disabilities, such as access to health care, including sexual and reproductive
health-care services, psychosocial support and educational programmes,
Recognizing also that participation, accountability, non-discrimination and
empowerment are fundamental principles of a human rights-based approach to disability,
and noting article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in this
regard,
Noting the role that innovative means of communication and technology can play
with regard to improving accessibility and helping to ensure that no constituency among
persons with disabilities is excluded throughout the different stages of emergency response,
including preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction,
Deeply concerned that girls and women with disabilities are often subject to
multiple, aggravated or intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage,
Deeply concerned also about the particular risk of segregation, abuse and violence,
including sexual and gender-based violence against persons with disabilities of all ages,
especially in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian
emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters,
Welcoming the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with
disabilities on the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life and in
public decision-making,1
Noting with appreciation the work undertaken in support of the Convention, including the
work of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, the report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention and the
1
2
A/HRC/31/62.