Thread by @MyEDF

The online review of #France by the UN Disability Committee continues today at 12.30 pm CET. You can watch the dialogue live in English, French and International Sign. #CRPD25 #CRPDNow

👉media.un.org/en/webtv

Live-tweet will continue under this thread.

The public meeting between the Committee and the French representatives resumes now.

Today the Committee will examine the implementation by France of articles 11 to 21 of the UN Convention and follow-up on issues raised during the dialogue on Wednesday. #CRPD25 #CRPDNow

France says that since 2017, non-discrimination is at the heart of the gov policies. According to the representative, accessible helplines are available for victims with disabilities.

France recognises that its criminal law does not recognise multiple and intersectional discrimination and do not provide for aggravated sentence when a crime is motivated by the disability of the victim. However, some tribunals adopted decisions in that sense.

France admits that its non-discrimination laws do not recognise the denial of reasonable accommodation as a form of discrimination.

French representative admits that there is no data on politicians with disabilities and that representation of persons with disabilities in politics is very low. Around 30 persons with disabilities are known as elected officials at national, regional and local levels.

France explains that it is taking measures to improve participation in political and public life but that progress need to be made in term of accessibility.

France is presenting its plans related to digitalisation, including to fill out disability related requests.

French representative presents how it supports persons with disabilities over the age of 60 years old: there are still differences between people who acquire a disability after 60 years old and those who already had a disability before that age. @AGE_PlatformEU

France announces that:

👉most of #accessibility issues concern small businesses and towns.

👉45% of rail services are accessible

👉70% of road stops are accessible

👉1000 accessibility delegates have been deployed to raise awareness about accessibility in remote areas

According to France, the situation of women with disabilities has improved, including in term of employment and representation. Better services have been put in place regarding reporting violence and services for victims. France supports the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025.

France has ratified and implements the #IstanbulConvention on combating violence against #women. The representative explains measures developed to protect women against violence.

According to France, good practices to support early diagnostic of #autism and support children and their families have been put in place. The representative recognises that the practice of "packing" is not acceptable. @AutismEurope

Fighting bullying is a priority for France. A dedicated helpline has been launched to report bullying in school and support victims and professionals working in the education system.

France recognises the higher risk of suicide among #autistic people and people with psychosocial disabilities. The government launched a strategy on suicide prevention with a dedicated helpline and chat. Accessibility is supported by Santé Mentale France @AutismEurope @MHESME

According to France, persons with disabilities were prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccinations. Health protocols were also put in place in institutions and residences for persons with disabilities. An helpline has been created to support persons with disabilities and their family.

France supports the ratification of the 2000 Hague Convention on the protection of Adults and is planning a round table about it during the French Presidency of the EU in 2022. No reply on how it will be implemented in line with the CRPD.

France says that the majority of #children with disabilities do not live in institutions and that most of them have access to mainstream education. Still 108,900 children with disabilities live in socio-medical residences, recognises the representative.

France recognises that the nomination of a sign language interpretator is not mandatory when a Deaf person suspected or accused of crime is detained or interrogated. For example, the law allows communication in written if the detainee knows how to read and write. @EUD_Brussels

France refuses to talk about "involuntary treatment" and refers to "care" and "urgent measures" instead. The gov does not plan to abolish its legal provisions on coercion and for now only aims to reduce contention. It refers to the role of the @CGLPL as a French singularity.

Data of July 2020 show persons with disabilities in France are at a higher risk of #violence. #Women with disabilities are 2 times more at risk of sexual violence. French gov presents measures to combat violence, including in institutions, highlighting training for professionals.

.@JonasRuskus asked whether France will remove all substituted decision making regimes and mandatory outpatient treatment; measures taken to guarantee access to justice all persons under guardianship; plans to discontinue institutionalisation

.@RosemaryKayess requested info on measures to prohibit:

👉 forced abortion and sterilisation of women and girls with disabilities
👉 harmful practices on behavior modification to "cure autism"
👉 unnecessary intervention on intersex children

.@RosemaryKayess also asked about information provided to #Deaf children and their families on #SignLanguage and to ensure freedom of choice when presenting info on cochlear implant. @EUD_Brussels

France defends its legislation on involuntary treatment mentioning the harm risked for the person experiencing crisis to themselves and others. According to the representative, "the dignity of the person is the priority" and the decision is taken by a judge for a limited period.

France updated a training on #autism for professionals who may be in contact with autistic people, such as professionals working in the areas of healthcare, justice and education. @AutismEurope

.@JonasRuskus asked questions about inclusive #education of children with disabilities, including those living in institutions, and the provision of reasonable accommodations and education in #SignLanguage.

.@gofefoame requested info about:

1⃣Real-time text services, including when contacting emergency services

2⃣Measures for access to public information in accessible formats

3⃣Transposition of the European Electronic Communication Code and Audiovisual Media Services Directive

M. Schefer asked about:

👉Measures to ensure the right to privacy
👉Reasoning of use of psychiatric data in the actions against terrorism
👉Participation of persons with disabilities and their organisations in the implementation and monitoring of the Convention.

M. Kim requested information about access to #healthcare services by persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation and supports by personal assistants.

@AmaliaGamio asked about access to the open larbour market by persons with disabilities and measures to protect their labour rights. She raised concerns about sheltered workshops that do not provide equal larbour rights and are contrary to the Convention.

C. Gabrilli said that many persons with disabilities live below the #poverty threshold and requested information on measures to be taken by the government. She also asked how France guarantees that its social policies do not conflict with the desintitutionalisation process.

The Chair of the Committee closed the meeting. The last part of the review of #France with replies from the government representatives will take place on Monday at 12.30 pm CET. #CRPD25 #CRPDNow