The National Human Rights Council (CNDH), represented by its member and Coordinator of the National Mechanism for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Mrs. Zhour El-Horr, took part, remotely, in the annual debate on Persons With Disabilities (PWD) on 5 March 2021 as part of the 46th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), held from 22 February to 23 March 2021 in Geneva.

Mrs. El Horr confirmed that the mechanism continues conducting its missions related to monitoring and following up the situation of the enjoyment of PWD of their basic rights during the pandemic.

In this context, the Coordinator of the Mechanism stated that the CNDH called on the public authorities to facilitate authorizations for PWD to have a daily break. It also urged them to extend the financial support measures provided by the government to include all vulnerable groups, including PWD.

Mrs. El Horr also indicated that the CNDH urged the government and enterprises not to dismiss PWD, as they are the most vulnerable group impacted by the health crisis.

She added that the CNDH set up a phone number and an email to receive and handle complaints, and published awareness-raising videos on the prevention from the COVID-19 in several languages, including sign language.

The CNDH also consulted with many institutions at the international and African level, NGOs and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, through online interactive seminars and platforms on improving the situation of PWD in the current epidemic crisis.

The National Mechanism for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, hosted by the CNDH, has started conducting its missions since the appointment of its members in 2019. It receives, examines and handles complaints, and conducts all investigations related to them. It also organizes hearings, invites parties concerned by the violation or the complaint, as well as witnesses, experts and any person whose hearing it deems useful.