On March 6, High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova addressed the 40th session of the Human Rights Council in the Panel Discussion on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

President, colleagues,

After the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2012, we have achieved significant progress in promoting and protecting their rights. We have the accessible environment programme, there have been established quotas for employers obliging them to provide work for persons with disabilities. From January 1, 2019, local authorities have the right to participate in the organization and financing of individual assistance in the employment of persons with disabilities. But some problems still remain. For the first time, the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation has presented the alternative report to the UN Committee provided with the examples of restored rights and resolved problems.

The most significant problems are the changing one’s disability category and an individual rehabilitation programme. We believe that the creation of an independent medical and social assessment could enhance the guarantees of citizens' rights in the field of disability determination.

Another problem is protecting the rights of persons with mental disabilities placed in institutions. It is important to provide an independent service for such people.

And finally I would like to highlight the problem related to people in places of detention. It is important for international standards to be applied which could ensure the proper transportation and detention conditions appropriate to people with disabilities in the penitentiary system.