Human Rights and Disability A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions The European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) is one of four regional networks of NHRIs within the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. ENNHRI has a Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Working Group that acts as a point of contact among NHRIs at the European level, and between the NHRIs and the European Union and other international institutions. The working group also develops good practice and shares knowledge.115 3.8. CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (ARTICLE 40) 115 The UN CRPD is innovative because it moves beyond a sole focus on violations. It recognises that an open exchange of experiences and ideas is required to generate and sustain long-term change. Accordingly, the Convention envisions a standing conference of States parties (article 40). This provides a potentially powerful platform for States to learn from one another in a multilateral forum. States that have ratified the Convention meet annually at the UN headquarters in New York. There have been eight meetings so far, with agendas spanning a broad range of topics, such as the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the post-2015 sustainable development goals and, most recently, implementation and monitoring of the UN CRPD at the national level.116 NHRIs can attend the Conference of States Parties and have acquired significant ad hoc recognition, including the right to make statements. They have also successfully hosted a number of side events. At the 2014 Conference of States Parties, the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (now known as the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions) called for the participation rights of NHRIs in the Conference to be strengthened: The ICC is appreciative of the work of the Conference Bureau and the Secretariat in facilitating the independent involvement of NHRIs in the work of the COSP and the recognition afforded to NHRIs. The ICC notes, however, that this strong relationship has yet to be formally recognized in the Rules of Procedure. The ICC therefore encourages the Bureau to consider amending the Rule so as to grant formal participation rights to ‘A status’ accredited NHRIs, the ICC and regional coordinating committees speaking on behalf of their accredited members. This is in line with the UNGA resolution that urges strengthened coordination between NHRIs and UN mechanisms (A/RES/68/171).117 Support for the Conference of States Parties is provided by the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.118 54 115 For more information, see www.ennhri.org/The-Committee-on-the-Rights-of-Persons-with-Disabilities-CRPD. 116 For more information on the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, see www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/conference-of-states-parties-to-the-convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-withdisabilities-2.html. 117 ICC Statement to the Seventh Conference of State Parties of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10 June 2014, UN Headquarters, New York. 118 More information on the Secretariat is available at www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/about-us.html.