Chair of the UN Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities leads Conference on developments in disability law
22 February 2010
Professor Ron McCallum, newly appointed Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities led the speakers at ‘Disability, Discrimination and Human Rights’ Conference.
The Conference, which took place on Saturday 20th February at Queen's University, Belfast focused on local, national, and international developments in disability law. The event attracted delegates including disabled people, policy makers, legal professionals, representatives from the Bar of Northern Ireland and local Human Rights, Equality and Disability organisations.
Professor Ron McCallum discussed provisions of the UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities, illustrating how it could lead to an alteration of the Common Law.
Catherine Casserley, Employment and Discrimination Lawyer, Cloisters Chambers, focused on European Developments highlighting how disability is now recognised as requiring protection from discrimination, in the same way as race and gender under the European Union's Lisbon Treaty.
Louise Curtis, Senior Lawyer, Equality and Human Rights Commission discussed developments in domestic disability discrimination law, while Pat McConville, Head of Legislation Unit, Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (NI), provided an overview of proposed legislation for Northern Ireland, with particular reference to the Mental Health Law Reform.
Dr. Colin Harper, Manager of Disability Action's Centre on Human Rights for People with Disabilities added: "There have been many developments in disability law on a local, national and international level. The Conference has highlighted the need to ensure greater integration of such developments into domestic legal work and to ensure the rights of disabled people are upheld."
Monica Wilson, Chief Executive of Disability Action stated: "Regardless of jurisdiction, abuses on the grounds of disability infringe upon the human rights of disabled people. Public authorities must uphold these rights and legal practitioners must understand the needs of disabled people and the legal measures which protect their rights."
Professor Brice Dickson, Director of the Human Rights Centre at Queen's School of Law, said: "This event was an excellent opportunity for the School of Law's Human Rights Centre to engage with civil society and members of the legal community in Northern Ireland in order to enhance awareness of crucial developments in the law relating to the rights of people with disabilities. It was wonderful to hear from a range of really expert speakers, including the top man on disability issues at the United Nations."
