The theme of the 2016 session of the Social Forum was the promotion and full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, in the context of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Outcome documents

• Report from the 2016 Social Forum A/HRC/34/69

Videos from the Forum

• Opening Session (Video)
• Panel 1: Setting the Scene: From Needs to Rights (Video)
• Panel 2: Persons with Disabilities and Human Diversity (Video)
• Panel 3: Accessibility and Non-discrimination (Video)
• Panel 4: Strengthening Equality and Specific Measures (Video)
• Panel 5: Meaningful Participation and Empowerment (Video)
• Panel 6: Making Development Inclusive (Video)
• Panel 7: Strengthening Accountability (Video)
• Roundtable: Informing Policy (Video)
• Panel 8: Realizing the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Video)
• Panel 9: Implementation of Agenda 2030 under the CRPD (Video 1, 2)
• Summing Up, Conclusions and Closure of the Social Forum (Video)

Background

Among other human rights concerns, statistics show that around fifty per cent of persons with disabilities cannot afford appropriate health care; and they are more likely to be unemployed than persons without disabilities. Persons with disabilities have, on average, worse living conditions and less participation rates in public affairs than other groups.

Realizing the right to development of persons with disabilities requires the adoption of a human rights-based approach to disability which respects their active, free and meaningful participation in development, the fair distribution of resulting benefits, and their inclusion in society on an equal basis with others. States parties to the CRPD have agreed to cooperate internationally, including through making development cooperation inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities (Article 32 CRPD).

Further information

• Programme of work of the 2016 Social Forum
• Provisional agenda A/HRC/SF/2016/1
• Background note with thematic overview
• Biographies of speakers
• List of side events
• Human Rights Council Resolution 29/19 "The Social Forum" A/HRC/RES/29/19
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  العربية | 中文 | English | Français | русский | Español
• Training guide on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  English
• Monitoring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Guidance for Human Rights Monitors
  English
• Thematic studies of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  English
• Thematic reports of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities
  English
• General Comments of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  English
• Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
  English
• High-Level Political Forum
  English
• Information note on the RTD and Disability
  English