Objectives

At the invitation of the Government of Colombia, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Heba Hagrass, will conduct an official country visit from 14 to 25 July 2025. During this visit, the Special Rapporteur will assess the human rights situation of persons with disabilities and progress in the implementation of related human rights standards. The visit will be conducted in line with established terms of reference for country visits by Special Procedures.

The Special Rapporteur will begin the visit in Bogota and intends to travel to other regions, including both urban and rural areas, to gain first-hand understanding of issues related to the human rights of persons with disabilities. During her visit, she intends to convene meetings with Government officials; persons with disabilities and their representative organisations; civil society; national human rights institutions; service providers; relevant international agencies and donors; and other relevant stakeholders.

At the end of the visit on 25 July 2025, the Special Rapporteur will debrief relevant Government officials on her preliminary findings. In line with established practice, she will also hold a press conference in order to share the preliminary findings with the broader public.

The Special Rapporteur will present a report on the country visit to the Human Rights Council at its March session in 2026.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

In accordance with the established practice of UN Special Procedures mandate holders, the Special Rapporteur is inviting all interested organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, academia and other stakeholders to provide information that they may wish to transmit for his consideration in preparation for the visit.

Particularly useful information could include:

• Recent analytical reports or surveys related to the protection and enjoyment of rights of persons with disabilities in Colombia;
• Information on policies, programmes, and the legal framework pertaining to the rights of persons with disabilities, including any gaps with international human rights standards that may exist;
• Information on the participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in public life, including in policy-making and monitoring of implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities at different levels of government;
• Priority issues, concerns, and/or situations that may warrant the attention of the Special Rapporteur during her visit;
• Information on intersectional factors that may particularly compound discrimination and barriers to equal enjoyment of human rights experienced by persons with disabilities;
• Suggestions of key issues to examine and related places to visit, as relevant to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur;
• Suggestions of organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society actors and/or Government institutions or officials in Colombia with whom to meet during the country visit.

How inputs will be used?

All inputs will be treated confidentially by the Special Rapporteur and his team and for the sole purpose of preparing for the county visit.

Reports, academic studies and other types of background materials can be attached as an annex to the submission.