New UN condemnation for UK human rights record

The UK government’s claim to be a ‘world leader in disability issues’ has today been crushed by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The committee has released damning concluding observations on the UK, following its first review of the government’s compliance with the convention. The education highlights of the press conference held by the UN Committee on the Rights of Disabled People at this afternoon are:

• The Committee has made the highest ever number of recommendations to the UK.
• The UK’s retrogression in ensuring inclusive education is a major concern.
• The UK’s failure to address the high levels of bullying of Disabled children and young people is also a major concern.

The Observations conclude last week’s public examination of the UK government’s record on delivering disabled people’s rights. The examination was declared by the UK rapporteur Mr Stig Langvad, to be “the most challenging exercise in the history of the Committee”. Mr Langvad raised deep concerns on the UK government’s failure to implement the rights of disabled people.

Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) were hailed as the genuine “world leaders” for their efforts in bringing to light the injustices and human rights violations inflicted on disabled people in the UK.

Tara Flood, Director of the Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) said, “We are delighted that the Committee has highlighted the government’s shocking disregard for the human rights of Disabled children and young people to be included in mainstream education and we welcome the committee’s call for a strategy to end the segregation and institutionalisation of children and young people from their families and communities. As the Chair of the committee, Theresia Degener, stated last week ‘inclusive education is not a choice, it is a human right’. Our work to turn that right into a reality begins today with renewed energy and the force of the world alongside us!”

Notes to editors

• The Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) is a national Disabled person led campaigning and information sharing network. We campaign for an end to the segregation of Disabled children and young people including those with SEN. For more info about our work – www.allfie.org.uk
• For media enquiries, please contact:Tara Flood – 07932750667
• The Concluding Observations are available here.