JDF Statement Calling for Accessibility at the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

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[Japanese version]

Statement by the Japan Disability Forum (JDF):
Calling for Accessibility at the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On 31 January 2026, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) issued a statement indicating that, due to the UN’s financial situation, it is unable to secure accessibility measures such as International Sign interpretation and captioning for its work, thereby placing its mandate at risk. The Japan Disability Forum (JDF), composed of 14 national organizations of and for persons with disabilities, expresses its grave concern over this unacceptable situation.

JDF, in partnership with the Government of Japan and the bipartisan “Parliamentary League for the Promotion of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” has been actively engaged since 2002 in the negotiations leading to the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as in the national legal and policy harmonization that enabled Japan’s ratification in 2014. Furthermore, since ratification, JDF has consistently promoted the CRPD as a binding international legal obligation for Japan and has worked toward building an inclusive society through its implementation.

If the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—central to monitoring the Convention’s implementation worldwide—cannot ensure accessibility due to financial constraints, thereby preventing the equal participation of members with disabilities, the Committee’s functions and credibility will be fundamentally undermined. Such a situation could also hinder the efforts of States Parties to continue strengthening their national legal systems in accordance with the Convention.

Ensuring accessibility and providing reasonable accommodations so that persons with disabilities can participate equally in the Committee’s work is a top priority and is fully consistent with the principles of the Convention. In particular, we reiterate our deep regret that sign language interpretation has not been secured for Mr. Hiroshi Tamon, who serves as a Committee member from Japan.

To ensure that the CRPD Committee can properly fulfill its mandate and advance the international implementation of the Convention, we call upon the United Nations and all States Parties to:

1. Hold the 34th session of the CRPD Committee, scheduled for March 9–27 in Geneva, with accessibility ensured and reasonable accommodations provided.

2. Ensure accessibility and provide reasonable accommodations for all future sessions of the Committee, enabling the equal participation of members with disabilities.

3. Provide Mr. Hiroshi Tamon, serving as a member from Japan, with the necessary and sufficient sign language interpretation.

4. To achieve the above, States Parties, including Japan, should take necessary measures and provide support.

Tokyo, 12 February 2026
Japan Disability Forum (JDF)

jdf_info@dinf.ne.jp
https://jdf-hp.normanet.ne.jp/en/