2019 Survey Report
National Human Rights Institutions and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Introduction
To gather information on CRPD monitoring and implementation, in 2019 GANHRI commissioned a survey for NHRIs with a view on updating and sharing the information in a concise report. The Canadian Human Rights Commission led the effort.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), includes reference to national implementation and monitoring mechanisms in its article 33.2, which identifies the need for States to establish or designate a framework that includes one or more independent mechanisms to promote, protect and monitor the Convention’s implementation and that States Parties shall take into account the principles relating to the status and functioning of national human rights institutions.
NHRIs were previously surveyed on CRPD monitoring and implementation by the Canadian Human Rights Commission (2011) and the German Institute for Human Rights (2017).
Objective
This survey attempts to build on the previous surveys, while also gathering information on existing legislative frameworks, accountability mechanisms and activities undertaken by NHRIs which seek to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
In total, 42 NHRIs responded to the survey. This represents 34% of all GANHRI members. The responses came from all four GANHRI regions. Most of the responses (81%) were from A-status institutions. The results are based on this survey sample.

Key findings
• 73% of responding NHRIs have a mandate provided in the legislation that designates them as IMMs
• 94% of responding NHRIs ensure the participation and involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations
• 85% of responding NHRIs can handle individual complaints by mandate.
Learn about the findings of the report:
Download the SurveyWatch the videoclips
Survey launch event
The survey will be launched during our webinar on ‘Protecting and Empowering Persons with Disabilities in the COVID-19 context: the role and experiences of national human rights institutions’, hosted by GANHRI with the participation of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On Thursday 3rd September, 2020 at 11.00 – 12.30 CET hours
