Monitoring

The UK must report to the United Nations on the steps it is taking to comply with the Convention at regular intervals, with the UK’s initial report due to be submitted in July 2011. It will then be reviewed periodically, at least every four years.

These reports should include an overview of steps taken to fulfill the rights guaranteed in the Convention across the UK, including Scotland. The reporting process should draw international attention to what is happening in Scotland, the good practice and the shortfalls. The Scottish Government will contribute to the UK Government report.

During each of these reviews by the UN Committee, anyone - including individuals and voluntary organizations as well as other members of civil society and national human rights institutions such as the Scottish Human Rights Commission - can submit additional information in the form of ‘parallel’ reports (sometimes called ‘shadow’ reports) to ensure that the Committee has a complete picture of law, policy and practice. Once the Committee has completed its review it will issue “concluding observations” on both positive aspects as aspects of concern.

The UK Office for Disability Issues, and the Equality Division of the Scottish Government in Scotland, are coordinating the UK state report to the UN Committee. The Government has a duty to ensure that civil society, particularly disabled people and their representative organisations, are involved and participate fully in the monitoring process.

The Commission recently gave evidence, both written and orally, to the UK Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Independent Living.

You can read both the written submission and the uncorrected transcript of the evidence in person from 14 June 2011.

The United Nations has prduced a Guide to support people in the monitoring process:

• Guide in Word format

• Guide in PDF format