CRPD/C/LTU/CO/1
III. Principal areas of concern and recommendations
A.
General principles and obligations (arts. 1-4)
5.
The Committee is concerned that the definition and understanding of disability in
State party laws and regulations focuses on the individual impairment, thereby neglecting
the social and relational dimension of disability, including, in particular, the barriers faced
by persons with disabilities.
6.
The Committee recommends that the State party amend the legal definition of
disability in accordance with the criteria and principles provided in articles 1 to 3 of
the Convention and that it effectively apply the amended legal definition in all laws
and regulations.
7.
The Committee is concerned by the frequent use of derogatory language, such as
“deaf-mute” and “disorder”, when referring to persons with disabilities in legislation and
data collection efforts, which perpetuate negative perceptions about persons with
disabilities.
8.
The Committee recommends that the State party review and harmonize its
legislation concerning the definition of persons with disabilities and in the collection of
data related to such persons in such a way as to eliminate the use of all derogatory
language to refer to persons with disabilities. The Committee also recommends that
the State party ensure that all existing and new laws and regulations, and the
definitions used therein, comply with the human rights-based model of disability, in
accordance with the Convention.
9.
The Committee is concerned that between 2009 and 2014 there was a decrease in
resources allocated for the support of persons with disabilities.
10.
The Committee recommends that the State party regularly evaluate the
national budget and its use of the European Union structural and investment funds to
ensure that the maximum available resources are being used for the realization of the
rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with article 4 (2) of the Convention.
The Committee calls on the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, updated
information on public spending demonstrating how social protection for persons with
disabilities has been increasingly prioritized.
11.
The Committee notes with concern that organizations of persons with disabilities are
not included in all decision-making processes relating to matters affecting them, in a timely
manner and with sufficient support, in accordance with the provisions of article 4 (3) of the
Convention.
12.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Develop, adopt and implement a strategy aimed at achieving the full
inclusion of organizations of persons with disabilities in all political decision-making
processes relating to matters affecting persons with disabilities, from the early stages
and across all sectors, including in relation to the implementation and monitoring of
the Sustainable Development Goals;
(b)
Provide sufficient financial support to build the capacity and enable the
autonomous participation of those organizations in all decision-making processes.
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