International principles and guidelines on access to justice for persons with disabilities

The International Principles and Guidelines on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities are a practical tool to help States design and implement justice systems that provide equal access to justice for persons with disabilities, in accordance with international human rights standard

They are the result of consultations and collaborations with disability rights experts, disabled people’s organizations, states, academics and other practitioners.
Since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006, states have committed themselves to removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing justice. The Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 16, have reinforced this commitment. Progress and support to States in fulfilling their obligations in this area have been a priority on the Special Rapporteur’s agenda.
Expert consultations
On 8 and 9 November 2018, the Special Rapporteur, in collaboration with OHCHR, hosted a meeting of the Group of Experts to discuss the implementation of the rights to legal capacity and access to justice within the framework of the administration of justice.
During this meeting, experts from United Nations entities, regional mechanisms, national justice systems, judicial academies, training centers, civil society and academia stressed the need to systematize good practices in access to justice for persons with disabilities and to adopt guidelines and protocols for those working in the administration of justice
Following this meeting, in 2019, the Special Rapporteur commissioned a study to identify relevant principles, interventions and strategies to ensure effective access to justice for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others. The study maps laws, policies and practices developed or implemented at national, regional and international levels to improve access to justice for people with disabilities. It provides a systematization of all the different elements that would make a system compliant with the CRPD and disability inclusion. Based on the findings of the report, draft international principles and guidelines on access to justice for persons with disabilities have been drawn up.
On February 21, 2020, the Special talteller convened another meeting of the Expert Group in Geneva with the aim of discussing and validating the International Principles and Guidelines on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities, with a variety of ’experts. The document aims to guide States and other actors in the implementation of their international obligations in this area.