Art.11 Situations of Risk and Humanitarian Emergencies

Abstract

This chapter examines Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Article 11 CRPD is a unique human right, which for the first time creates obligations in situations of risk, including humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, and permits of no derogation in times of emergency. Since the adoption of Article 11, important policy developments have taken place regarding persons with disabilities in situations of conflict or disaster. For instance, persons with disabilities have been expressly referred to in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–30, the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, the Sphere Handbook, and the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.