South Asia Sub-Regional Report

1. South Asia Sub-Regional Report The 15th DPIAP Regional Assembly: Action toward new Asia and the Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities 24-25 October 2012 Presented by Birendra Raj Pokharel DPIAP VC/ South-Asian Chairperson

2. South Asia Bhutan Nepal Iran Bangladesh Maldives Afghanistan Pakistan India Sri Lanka DPI MNA Not member New in SA

3. Status of CRPD Ratification

4. Bangladesh: Progress on Implementation of CRPD : • The Prime Minister and the Government of Bangladesh have given attention to the issue of CRPD implementation • The disability rights law based on CRPD has been in drafting process, DPI Bangladesh (BPKS) has been engaged in the process.

5. India: Progress on Implementation of CRPD • New disability law based on CRPD: DPI India led an advocacy campaign following which the Government formed a inclusive Committee to draft a new disability rights law • CRPD Compliant Budget Analysis: DPI India has taken up the process in collaboration of IDA.

6. Maldives: Progress on Implementation of CRPD • CRPD has been ratified and the Disability strategic plan 2009-2013 has been introduced and a Law on Disability is being enacted by the parliament.

7. Nepal: Progress on Implementation of CRPD • Established the “Inter-parliamentarian Disability Friendly Caucus” have supported for the ratification of CRPD and also highlighted the disability rights issues in the constitution drafting process. • Disabled Protection and Welfare Act 1982 is being amended in line with CRPD principles and human rights approach where NFDN has taken lead.

8. Pakistan: Progress on Implementation of CRPD • Ratification of UNCRPD on 6th June 2011. • National Consultative Seminar on implementation of UNCRPD on June 14th, 2012, DPIP accommodated in National Committee Member for the implementation of UNCRPD. • Meetings with Government to have sub Committee in Provisional, district level to modify the local laws according to the UNCRPD.

9. Sri Lanka: Progress on Implementation of CRPD • The existing NCPD has prepared and developed new regulations conjunction with reference to CRPD Very near future there will be possibility to adopt once the CRPD is ratified.

10. Monitoring and Reporting on CRPD implementation Alternate / Shadow Report on implementation of CRPD: • DPI India is currently involved in preparing the Alternate Report • DPI Nepal is in the similar process of writing shadow Report • Universal Periodic Review (UPR): DPI India and DPI Nepal was actively involved in the preparation of the Stakeholders’ Report during UPR of their countries and submitted through HRTMCC in the OHCHR. • Disability Rights Monitoring: In the collaboration with DRPI and York University, the disability rights monitoring is undergoing in Nepal. • DPI India has been able to participate thrice in the CRPD Committee meetings in Geneva

11. Enumeration of PWDs in Population Census 2011: The Successful advocacy for proper enumeration of people with disabilities in the National Population Census 2011 and led the process from DPOs side was initiated in majority of the countries. Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

12. Bangladesh: Activities and achievement • PSID in 16 district. • National Congregation of the Disabled Peoples-2010 • Workshop and seminars on UNCRPD with the Government focal point, media and civil society. • Mainstreaming disabilities in disaster risk management, • Workshop with agriculture, fisheries and livestock department • Disability friendly Budget analysis. • National Dialogue on Rights of WWDs with Government’s focal points. • National Leadership Training Seminar, National Dialogues with policy and implementation level authorities. • Print and electronic media mobilization

13. India: Activities and achievement • Regional Workshop on CRPD Implementation in August 2011 by DPI India adopted New Delhi Declaration. • Advocacy for the implementation of the 11th Five Year Plan • Inclusion of disability by establishing Department of Disability Affairs • DPI India’s advocacy led to the setting up of the Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre.

14. Maldives: Activities and achievement • Lobbied to the government to become a state party of CRPD with ratification. • Lobbied for Legal reforms with the government and MP’s, including the right for a driving license for the PWDs. • Representation on the Presidential Committee to design a Building Code,. • Negotiated a change in teacher education curricula to include a unit of study on special needs education. • Publication of the first alphabet for sign language • Negotiated with the Ministry of Health to set out policy on occupational health and safety issues, and establishing a central database of information regarding workplace accidents and resulting disabilities.

15. Nepal : Activities and achievement • Conference organized, elected new Board, Expansion of NFDN's Network • Supreme Court provided verdict with six articles and seven directional statements for providing social security to PWDs in August in favor of claim filed by DHRC. • Enactment and monitoring of DSPAD • Capacity building for CRPD implementation. • Development of module Accessible School/Public Place • Rupantaran: as a journal of DPI Nepal in quarterly Publication. • Baseline survey on Persons With disabilities. • Capacity building workshop: 3 days, UNCRPD contents training to NFD-N central level, regional coordinators and committees, • Sensitization Workshop to Local Authorities in the district, Political parties, NGOs etc through RCWG and NCWG. • Capacity building training workshop in five regions for the representatives of Self Help Organizations (SHOs) and NFDN regional bodies • Budget Monitoring from disability perspectives in local levels so that the utilization status of the local budget has been assessed

16. Pakistan : Activities and achievement • Awareness Campaign for the Accessibility in the Religious Places • Networking & Capacity Building Workshops & Seminars for DPOs. • Promoting Empowerment for PWDS specially in I.T Sector • Reserves Seats in Legislative Provincial & National Assemblies of Pakistan. • Provincial action plan for PWDs • Participate in Rehab Dubai 2010 and International Abilympics 2011, Seoul Korea • Participation in 1st International Emergency Response Conference 2012 • Zakat Quota for the Needy PWDs in every province of Pakistan, distribute through DPOs • 50 % Discount on Railway fare & Airways fare, Duty Free for the assistive device of PWDs including Car for PWDs

17. Sri Lanka : Activities and achievement • Sri Lanka confederation of organizations of the handicapped people was successfully participated on observation of the IDPD at the His Excellency President’s Residence called Temple Trees in Colombo • Social security scheme introduced • Assistive devices distributed • Financial Assistance provided for self employment • Several meetings held with Government on accessibility and Government has now a draft on National accessibility code.

18. Contribution as MNA on SA, AP Region and International Level: • Bangladesh: Expand PSID approach, Support sub-regional network and decade. • India: World Chair of DPI: Mr. Javed Abidi was elected as the World Chair of DPI in the World Assembly in Durban in 2011. Since then, he has been able to start many new activities and setting trends and systems right in the global functioning of DPI. • Research Study on CBR • DPI’s partnership with the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions: • Survey on work and employment

19. Contribution as MNA on SA, AP Region and International Level… • Nepal: Conducted DRPI disability rights holistic monitoring that provides insight to conduct disability rights monitoring for supporting the preparation of shadow report. • Support lobbying SAARC secretariat, will organize sub-regional conference and will promote efforts for SA sub-regional network. • Pakistan: Biwako Millennium policy review of PWDs for the new decade • Delhi Declaration (Regional Workshop to Accelerate the Implementation of the CRPD) • International Abilympics 2012 award Winner in Outdoor Photography. • Highlighting the products of PWDs in Rehab Dubai 2006-2008-2010.

20. Future Role of MNAS for “Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities • Reduce poverty and enhance employment prospects • Promote participation in political processes and in decision making • Enhance access to the physical environment, public transportation, knowledge and information and communication. • Strengthen social protection • Expand early intervention and education of children with disabilities • Ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment • Ensure inclusion of disability perspectives in disaster preparedness and management • Improve disability data reliability and comparability • Accelerate the ratification and implementation of the CRPD and harmonization of national legislation with the Convention

21. Recommendation by MNA: • Advance sub regional, regional and interregional cooperation • To develop the capacity of its leaders. • MNAs also need to build alliances with other human rights movements • South Asia needs to play an active role in human rights mechanism not only in the region but also internationally. • and has also taken part in the Conference of State Parties. • Strong networking and collaboration among the MNAs and also exchange programs • to make policy according to the climate change, risk management and involve PWDs in mainstreaming. • All the MNAs to be encouraged specially executive bodies to exchange information at least in every quarter. • MNAs showed their full support for a sub-regional decade of People with disabilities • MNAs also showed willingness to strengthen sub-regional network of DPO and south-to-south cooperation • Combating together against the major barrier for developing cooperation.