Initial Report Submitted by Iceland Under Article 35 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
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Initial report submitted by Iceland under article 35 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Table of Content Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3 Articles 1–3 ................................................................................................................................ 3 Article 4 ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Article 5 ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Article 6 .................................................................................................................................... 10 Article 7 .................................................................................................................................... 10 Article 8 .................................................................................................................................... 12 Article 9 .................................................................................................................................... 13 Article 10 .................................................................................................................................. 15 Article 11 .................................................................................................................................. 16 Article 12 .................................................................................................................................. 17 Article 13 .................................................................................................................................. 19 Article 14 .................................................................................................................................. 21 Article 15 .................................................................................................................................. 23 Article 16 .................................................................................................................................. 24 Article 17 .................................................................................................................................. 25 Article 18 .................................................................................................................................. 26 Article 19 .................................................................................................................................. 26 Article 20 .................................................................................................................................. 29 Article 21 .................................................................................................................................. 30 Article 22 .................................................................................................................................. 31 Article 23 .................................................................................................................................. 32 Article 24 .................................................................................................................................. 33 Article 25 .................................................................................................................................. 34 Article 26 .................................................................................................................................. 36 Article 27 .................................................................................................................................. 37 Article 28 .................................................................................................................................. 40 Article 29 .................................................................................................................................. 43 Article 30 .................................................................................................................................. 43 Article 31 .................................................................................................................................. 44 Article 32 .................................................................................................................................. 45 Article 33 .................................................................................................................................. 46 2 Introduction This is Iceland’s first report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The report presents a comprehensive overview of the measures taken to date to fulfil obligations pursuant to the Convention. An attempt has been made to give the best possible account of how the Convention has been implemented and clarify any challenges that have emerged regarding its introduction. The preparation of the report considered the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as these are inextricably linked to the Convention’s main aspects. The SDGs are to create a balance between the three pillars of sustainable development, the economic, social and environmental. Furthermore, the main premise of the SDG targets is to leave no individuals or groups behind. Therefore, it is important to carry out an evaluation of the implementation of the Convention always with reference to the SDGs. The report was prepared by a working group comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Welfare (now the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health), the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, the Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The working group also held consultations with the Government’s Steering Group on Human Rights which is comprised of representatives from all the ministries. Information was gathered from ministries, government institutions, the Association of Local Authorities, representative associations of people with disabilities, public interest associations, academia and the general public. Information was obtained through an exchange of views and written material. Numerous larger and smaller consultations were held with issue groups of the Icelandic Disability Alliance and the National Association of Intellectual Disabilities. The National Association received a special grant from the Ministry of Social Affairs for the drafting of a report to be prepared by people with developmental disabilities, thereby reflecting their views and opinions regarding the implementation of the Convention. The Ministry of Social Affairs organised a special seminar on the implementation of the Convention at a national conference called Watershed in welfare services, held in November 2018 with the participation of users of the welfare services. The Ministry of Social Affairs then went on to support the Association of Local Authorities to promote the main content of the Convention to local council members. In addition, a draft report was published in the government consultation portal, thereby providing the general public with an opportunity to express its views on the content. The report is accessible in Icelandic and English on the websites of the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, it will be published in various digital formats, as well as in an easily readable format. Articles 1–3 The Government of Iceland’s coalition agreement states that Iceland shall be the land of opportunity for all. A policy and action plan concerning issues relating to people with disabilities for the period of 2017–2021 e.g. presents a description of how this should be elaborated for the benefit of people with disabilities. The policy of the Icelandic authorities is based on equality and their obligation to ensure that all are given, on the basis of their abilities, equal opportunities to acquire quality of life and enjoy the rights Icelandic society affords its citizens. Iceland has agreed to the definitions presented in the Convention. Revision of Icelandic legislation took place in the period 2007-2016 in preparation for the ratification of the Convention. Laws are still under revision to ensure that the legislation complies with the provisions of the Convention. In 2019, the Althingi adopted a parliamentary resolution on incorporating the Convention. It states that a bill on the incorporation of the Convention and the adaptation of Icelandic laws to it should be submitted in December 2020. 3 An effort has been made to ensure that Iceland’s policy as regards issues relating to people with disabilities is in keeping with the emphases stated in the Convention. The authorities’ vision for the future regarding services to people with disabilities is based on the understanding that they should be afforded, to the same extent as other people, the opportunity to receive support to become independent and enjoy quality of life conducive to releasing their full potential as able-bodied citizens of society, based on their own abilities and strengths, and enjoy respect. The guiding light in all actions taken by the society with respect to people with disabilities should