Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Concluding observations on the initial report of China, adopted by the Committee at its eighth session (17–28 September 2012)

I.Introduction

The Committee considered the initial report of China (CRPD/C/CHN/1), including Hong Kong, China (CRPD/C/CHN-HKG/1), and Macao, China (CRPD/C/CHN-MAC/1), at its 77th and 78th meetings, held on 18 and 19 September 2012, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 91st meeting, held on 27 September 2012.

The Committee welcomes the initial report of China, including Hong Kong, China, and Macao, China, which was prepared in accordance with the Committee’s reporting guidelines (CRPD/C/2/3). It also appreciates the written replies to the list of issues raised by the Committee (CRPD/C/CHN/Q/1/Add.1).

The Committee expresses its appreciation for the constructive dialogue held between the State party’s delegation and the members of the Committee. The Committee commends the State party for its high-ranking delegation, among which were members of Government ministries and experts with disabilities.

The Committee regrets the State party’s failure to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention and invites the State party to reconsider its decision to abstain from signing theOptional Protocol.

II.Positive aspects

The Committee congratulates the State party on its achievements in terms of accessibility, such as the accessibility stipulations in the Law on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, the Implementation Plan for Barrier-Free Construction in the Eleventh Five-YearPlan (2006-2010) or the standards facilitating the use of public facilities for persons with disabilities.

The Committee supports the legal protection of workers with disabilities from exploitation, violence and abuse, such as the relevantregulations in the Law on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, the Law on Public Security Administration Punishments and the Law on Employment Contracts.

The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the State party to implement the rights enshrined in the Convention for children with disabilities by upholding the principle of“children first” through the Programme for the Development of Chinese Children (2001–2010) and the prohibition of discrimination against children with disabilities in the Law on the Protection of Minors.

The Committee commends the poverty reduction efforts undertaken by the State party, especially regarding the poverty reduction of persons with disabilities.

III.Principle areas of concern and recommendations

A.General principles and obligations (arts. 1–4)

The Committee takes note of the prevalence of the medical model of disability in both the definition of disability and the enduring terminology and language of the discourse on the status of persons with disabilities. Therefore, the Committee is concerned about the lack of a coherent and comprehensive disability strategy to implement the human rights model of disability that the Convention establishes to achieve the de facto equality of persons with disabilities and implement the rights enshrined in the Convention at all levels. The Committee is concerned that organizations of persons with disabilities outside of the China Disabled Persons’ Federationare not included in the implementation of theConvention.

The Committee urges the introduction of a comprehensive and inclusive national plan of action , which includes full participation of all representatives of persons with disabilities in China , to introduce the human rights model of disability into Chinese disability policy .

B.Specific rights (arts. 5–30)

Equality and non-discrimination (art. 5)

While commending the legal prohibition of disability-based discrimination in the State party, the Committee is concerned about the lack of a comprehensive definition of discrimination against persons with disabilities. The Committee also worries about the contradictions between many local law regulations and the national law with regard to the prohibition of discrimination. The Committee is concerned that the State party does not consistently apply the concept of reasonable accommodation in relation to the principle of non-discrimination.

The Committee expressly encourages the S tate party to provide a legal definition of discrimination against persons with disabilities and include in such a definition the prohibition of indirect discrimination. The Committee suggests includ ing a defi ni tion of reasonable accommodation in Chinese law w h ic h ref lects the Convention definition cover ing necessary and appr opriate modification and adjust ment applicable in a particular case beyond general accessibility. Furthermore , the State party should ensure that the law explicitly recogni z es the refusal of reasonable accommodation constitutes disability - based discrimination .

Children with disabilities (art. 7)

The Committee fears that children with disabilities in the State party are at a high risk of abandonment by their parents and are often placed in isolated institutions. For those children with disabilities living at home in rural areas, the Committee is concerned at the lack of community-based services and assistance.

The Committee urges the S tate party to take measures to fight the widespread stigma in relation to boys and girls with disabilities and revise their strict family planning policy, so as to combat the root causes for the abandonment of boys and girls with disabilities . It asks the S tate party to provide sufficient community - based services and assistance also in rural areas.

Awareness-raising (art. 8)

The Committee is concerned that the medical model of disability prevailsin the awareness-raising attempts of the State party, which is not in accordance with the spirit of the Convention. It is especially concerned with awareness-raising events such as the “All-China Occupational Skills Contest for Persons with Disabilities” and the “Million Young Volunteers to Help Persons with Disabilities” programme that depict persons with disabilities as helpless and dependent human beings segregated from the rest of society.

The Committee wishes to again remind the S tate party of the Convention’s human rights model of disability and asks the S tate party to promote this concept of persons with disabilities as independent and autonomous rights holders in its awareness-raising program me s. It urges the S tate party to inform all persons with disabilities, especially those living in rural areas, of their rights, specifically the right to receive minimum welfare subsidies and the right to attend school. The C ommittee recommends the S tate party introduce an awareness - raising programme that shows the society positive perception s of persons with disabilities.

Accessibility (art. 9)

While appreciating the State party’s advancements concerning accessibility in urban areas, the Committee takes note of the lack of information concerning both the accessibility in rural areas and the effects of non-compliance with accessibility measures and monitoring and evaluating accessibility

The Committee asks the S tate party to provide such information in its next report. Considering the large proportion of persons with disabilities who live in rural areas (75 per cent ), it specifically urges the S tate party to ensure that accessibility is guaranteed not only in urban, but also in rural areas. It also asks the S tate party not to restrict the barrier-free infrastructure to environments often frequented by persons with disabilities.

Right to life (art. 10)

The Committee expresses its utmost concern about the abduction of persons with intellectual disabilities, most of them children, and the staging of “mining accidents” in Hebei, Fujian, Liaoning and Sichuan, resulting in the victim’s death in order to claim compensation from the mine owners.

The Committee strongly urges the S tate party to continue investigating these incidents and prosecute all those responsible, and impose appropriate sanctions . It also asks the S tate party to implement comprehensive measures to prevent further abductions of boys with intellectual di s abilities and provide remedies to the victims.

Equal recognition before the law (art. 12)

The Committee is concerned about the system for establishing legal guardianship, which is not in compliance with article 12 of the Convention. It takes note of the complete absence of a system of supported decision-making measures which recognize the rights of persons with disabilities to make their own decisions and to have their autonomy, will and preferences respected.

The Committee urges the S tate party to adopt measures to repeal the laws , policies and practices which permit guardianship and trusteeship for adults and take legislative action to replace regimes of substituted decision-making by supported decision making, which respects the person’s autonomy, will and preferences, in the exercise of one’s legal capacity in accordance with a rticle 12 of the Convention . In addition, the Committee recommends that the S tate party , in consultation with organizations of persons with disabilities , prepare , legislate and implement a blueprint for a system of supported decision-making, which includes:

Recognition of all persons’ legal capacity and right to exercise it;

Accommodations and access to support where necessary to exercise legal capacity;

Regulations to ensure that support respects the person’s autonomy, will and preferences and establishment of feedback mechanisms to ensure that support is meeting the person’s needs;

Arrangements for the promotion and establishment of supported decision-making .

Access to justice (art. 13)

While appreciating the establishment of legal aid service centres for persons with disabilities, the Committee notes that these service centres often lack the necessary resources and do not operate on an independent basis. The Committee is concerned that neither the criminal nor the civil procedure laws in China are accessible for the use of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others and, instead, patronizing measures are put into place, such as the designation of public defenders that treat the person concerned as if they lacked legal capacity.

The Committee suggests that the S tate party allocate the necessary human and financial resources to the legal aid service centr e s. It asks the S tate party to ensure that these centr e s safeguard the access to justice of persons with disabilities independently and in practice, including below the county level . The Committee suggests that the S tate party reviews its procedural civil and criminal laws in order to make mandatory the necessity to establish procedural accommodation for those persons with disabilities who intervene in the judicial system can do it as subject of rights and not as objects of protection.

Liberty and security of the person (art. 14)

The Committee is concerned that the deprivation of liberty on the grounds of disability is allowed in the State party, and that involuntary civil commitment is perceived as a tool to maintain the public order. In this context, the Committee finds it disturbing that many persons with actual or perceived impairments are involuntarily committed to psychiatric institutions for various reasons, such as being petitioners. In addition, the Committee is concerned that many persons who indeed live with intellectual and psychosocialimpairmentsand require a high level of support lack the adequate resources for their medical and social care and are thus permanently confined at home.

The Committee recommends the abolishment of the practice of involuntary civil commitment based on actual or perceived impairment . In addition, the Committee asks the S tate party to allocate more financial resources to persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities who require a high level of support , in order to ensure social support and medical treatment outside their own home when necessary.

Freedom from torture (art. 15)

For those involuntarily committed persons with actual or perceived intellectual and psychosocialimpairments, the Committee is concerned that the “correctional therapy” offered at psychiatric institutions represents inhuman and degrading treatment. Further, the Committee is concerned that not all medical experimentation without free and informed consent is prohibited by Chinese law.

The Committee urges the S tate party to cease its policy of subjecting persons with actual or perceived impairments to such therapies and abstain from involuntarily committing them to institutions. Further it urges the S tate party to abolish laws which allow for medical experimentation on persons with disabilities without their free and informed consent .

Freedom from exploitation, violence, and abuse (art. 16)

The Committee is deeply troubled by the reported incidents of abduction and forced labour of thousands of persons with intellectual disabilities, especially children, such as the occurrence of slave labour in Shanxi and Henan.

The Committee strongly urges the S tate party to continue investigating these incidents and prosecute the perpetrators. The Committee asks the S tate party to implement comprehensive measures to prevent further abductions of persons with intellectual disabilities and provide remedies to the victims , by including data collection on the prevalence of exploitation, abuse and violence against persons with disabilities .

Right to live independently and live in the community (art. 19)

The Committee is concerned about the high number of persons with disabilities living in institutions and about the fact that China maintains institutions with up to 2,000 residents. Such institutions are not in compliance with article 19 of the Convention. The Committee is further concerned about the existence of lepers colonies, where people with leprosy live in isolation

The Committee recommends tak ing immediate steps to phase out and eliminate institutional-based care for people with disabilities. Further, the Committee recommends that State party consult with organi z ations of persons with disabilities on developing support services for persons with disabilities to live independently in accordance with their own choice. Support services should also be provided to persons with a high level of support needs. In addition, the Committee suggests that the S tate party undertake all necessary measures to grant people with leprosy the medical treatment needed and to reintegrate them into the community, thereby eliminating the existence of such lepers’ colonies .

Respect for home and the family (art. 23)

The Committee is deeply concerned that both the State party’s laws and its society accept the practice of forced sterilization and forced abortion on women with disabilities without free and informed consent

The Committee calls upon the S tate party to revise its laws and policies in order to prohibit compulsory sterilization and forced abortion on women with disabilities.

Education (art. 24)

The Committee is concerned about the high number of special schools and the State party’s policy of actively developing these schools. The Committee is especially worried that in practice only students with certain kinds of impairments (physical disabilities or mild visual disabilities) are able to attend mainstream education, while all other children with disabilities are forced to either enrol ina special school or drop out altogether.

The Committee wishes to remind the S tate party that the concept of inclusion is one of the key notions of the Convention and should be especially adhered to in the field of education. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the S tate party reallocate resources from the special education system to promote the inclusive education in mainstream schools, so as to ensure that more children with disabilities can attend mainstream education.

Right to health (art. 25)

The Committee is concerned about the current involuntary commitment system in the State party. It takes note of the Draft Mental Health Act and the ordinances of six major cities in the State party on mental health which do not respect the individual will of persons with disabilities.

The Committee advises the S tate party to adopt measures to ensure that all health care and services provided to persons with disabilities, including all mental health care and services, is based on the free and informed consent of the individual concerned, and that laws permitting involuntary treatment and confinement, including upon the authori z ation of third party decision-makers such as family members or guardians, are repealed. It recommends that the S tate party develop a wide range of community-based services and supports that respond to needs expressed by persons with disabilities, and respect the person’s autonomy, choices, dignity and privacy, including peer support and other alternatives to the medical model of mental health

Rehabilitation and habilitation ( a rt. 26)

The Committee is concerned with the imposition of rehabilitation and habilitation measures on persons with disabilities, especially persons with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities, without their informed consent.

The Committee recommends tha t rights based approach to reha bilita t i on and habilitation be put in place and ensure that such pro gr ammes promote the inform ed consent of individuals with disabilities and respects their autonomy, integrity, will and preference.

Work and employment (art. 27)

While observing the existence of a quota system, the Committee worries that this system does not effectively address the chronic problem of unemployment among persons with disabilities or the deep-rooted causes of discrimination in employment. Specifically, the Committee is concerned that often the employment offered is only of symbolic value or that companies and Government bodies frequently opt to pay the employment levy rather than employing persons with disabilities. The Committee is also concerned about the practice of reserved employment (such as the field of “blind massage”), which discriminates against persons with disabilities in their vocational and career choices.

The Committee recommends that the S tate party undertake all necessary measures to ensure the persons with disabilities freedom of choice to pursue vocations according to their preferences. It suggests that the S tate party create more working opportunities and enact legislature, so that companies and S tate organs employ more persons with disabilities.

Adequate standard of living and social protection (art. 28)

While appreciating the existence of a policy of poverty reduction and providing benefits and subsidies, the Committee is concerned about the gap in receiving such benefits between the persons with disabilities living in rural and urban areas.

The Committee recommends that the S tate party increase measures to remedy the gap for the awarding of benefits between rural and urban areas and take steps to ensure that persons with disabilities – regardless of how they acquire their disability – have immediate access to certification and benefits . It asks the S tate party to specifically inform persons with disabilities in rural areas of their right to benefit s and develop a system to prevent the corruption in the context of allocation and distribution of welfare benefits by local officials.

Participation in political and public life (art. 29)

The Committee is concerned with article 26 of the Election Law, which excludes citizens with intellectualand psychosocial impairments from the voting process.

The Committee recommends that the S tate party revise article 26 of the Election Law to ensure that all persons with disabilities have the right to vote on an equal basis with others.

C.Specific obligations (arts. 31–33)

Statistics and data (art. 31)

The Committee takes note that disaggregated appropriate information, including statistical and research data which enables the State party to formulate and implement policies to give effect to the Convention, is often not available due to laws and regulations on guarding State’s secrets as revised in 2010.

The Comm ittee recommends review ing the secrecy laws and appropriately revis ing them so that information on issues and problems regarding the implementation of the Convention – e.g. the number of sterilized w omen with disabilities or the number of involuntary commitments to institutions – c an be publicly discussed. The Commi ttee reminds the S tate party that this information should be accessible to persons with disabilities.

National implementation and monitoring (art. 33)

The Committee is concerned at the overall absence of independent bodiesandorganizations of persons with disabilities systematically involved in the process ofimplementing the Convention. Considering that the China Disabled Persons’ Federation remains the sole official representative ofpersons with disabilities in the State party, the Committee is concerned about the participation of civil society. In addition, the Committee wonders which body or organization in China is designated the independent national monitoring mechanism as required by article 33, paragraph 2,of the Convention.

The Committee strongly recommends that the S tate party revise article 8 of the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons, thus allowing non-governmental organizations other than the China Disabled Persons’ Federation to represent the interests of disabled people in the S tate party and be involved in the monitoring process. It further recommends the establishment of an independent national monitoring mechanism in line with a rt icle 33 , paragraph 2 , of the Convention and in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights ( Paris Principles ) .

IV.Hong Kong, China

A.Positive aspects

The Committee appreciates the introduction of affirmative measures of actionfor persons with disabilities in Hong Kong, China, such as the Disability Allowance.

The Committee welcomes the awarding of Learning Support Grants, under which schools receive a certain sum for each student with “special educational needs”.

B.Principle areas of concern and recommendations

1.General principles and obligations (arts. 1–4)

The Committee regrets the outdated eligibility standard in the Disability Allowance Scheme and lack of unity in the various definitions of disability that have been adopted in different pieces of legislation and by Government bureaux and departments.

The Committee encourages Hong Kong , China , to revise the inappropriate eligibility standard and to adopt definition of persons with disabilities that adequately reflects article 1 and the human rights model of the Convention .

2.Specific rights (arts. 5–30)

Equality and non-discrimination (art. 5)

The Committee is concerned about the rather passive role adopted by the Equal Opportunities Commission, which is responsible for monitoring and executing the Disability Discrimination Ordinance.

The Committee recommends that the Equal Opportunities Commission review its role and assume a more proactive part, especially when handling complaint cases.

Women with disabilities (art. 6)

The Committee is concerned about the discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities and the lack of action of the government of Hong Kong, China, to reduce the occurrence of discrimination, such as neglecting article 6 in the promotion of the Convention. The Committee is also troubled by the repeated occurrence of domestic violence against womenand girls with disabilities.

The Committee recommends that the Women’s Commission of Hong Kong , China , should integrate the amelioration of the living situation of women and girls with disabilities in to their mandate and include a representative of women with disabilities in its Commission. It also asks Hong Kong , China , to raise awareness on article 6 of the Convention , so as to ensure that women with disabilities enjoy their rights on an equal basis with men. In addition, the Committee calls upon Hong Kong , China , to prevent domestic violence against women with disabilities and to prosecute and punish the perpetrators and all those responsible .

Children with disabilities (art. 7)

While commending the assessment and early education service offered by the government of Hong Kong, China, the Committee is concerned that the services provided are not sufficient to match the overwhelming demand.

The Committee recommends that Hong Kong, China , allocate more resources to the services provided for children with disabilities in order to ensure that they are able to develop to their full potential.

Accessibility (art. 9)

While noting that Hong Kong, China, has improved the barrier-free access of government buildings, leisure and cultural facilities and public housings in recent years, the Committee is concerned that persons with disabilities still face difficulties in terms of accessibility. The Committee especially regrets that the building standards set out in the “Design Manual – Barrier-Free Access” do not apply retroactively and that they are not applicable to premises under the management of the government or the housing authority. The Committee is concerned that the monitoring mechanism to evaluate the accessibility of buildings is insufficient, thus restricting the ability of persons with disabilities to live independently in the community.

The Committee encourages Hong Kong , China , to continue reviewing the “ De sign Manual – Barrier - Free Access” and apply these standards retroactively to premises under the management of the government or the housing authority as well . It recommends that Hong Kong, China , strengthen the monitoring process of accessibility.

Right to life (art. 10)

The Committee is concerned about the heightened suicide risk among persons with intellectual orpsychosocial disabilities (35 per cent of the overall suicide rate in Hong Kong, China).

The Committee calls upon Hong Kong , China , to provide the necessary psychological treatment based on free and informed consent of the person and counselling to these persons. The Committee recommends a regular assessment of their suicide risk.

Freedom from exploitation, violence, and abuse (art. 16)

The Committee is concerned about the incidents of women and girls with intellectual disabilities being subjected to sexual violence.

The Committee suggests that Hong Kong, China , continue investigating these incidents and prosecute the perpetrators and all those responsible . It also recommends that sex education be taught to children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and that the law enforcement personnel be trained on handling violence against women and girls with disabilities.

In addition, while the Committeedoes not consider shelter workshops as a good way to implement the Convention, it also finds the daily allowance for persons with disabilities in shelter workshops to be too low and bordering exploitation.

The Committee recommends that Hong Kong, China , enact legislation to raise the daily allowance for persons with disabilities in s helter w orkshops , so as to prevent their exploitation.

Right to live independently and live in the community (art. 19)

The Committee is concerned about the shortage on sublet residential homes. It is also worried about the lack of premises for District Support Centres, whose aim is tostrengthen the ability of persons with disabilities to live at home in their own community and be integrated into society.

The Committee suggests that Hong Kong, China , allocate more resources to set ting up more sub let mainstream residential homes and strengthen ing policies promoting establishment of accessible living facilities to secure the de facto possibility of free choice of accommodation . It calls upon Hong Kong , China , to ensure that the District Support Centres receive the necessary funds and premises in order to enable persons with disabilities to live in the community.

Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information (art. 21)

The Committee takes note of the difficult situation of persons with hearing impairments in accessing information due to lack of official recognition of the significance of sign language by Hong Kong, China. The Committee is concerned about the lack of training for and services provided by sign-language interpreters.

The Committee recommends that Hong Kong, China , increase training for and the services provided by sign - language interpreters. It should also recognize the public examination and assessment of such interpreters.

Education (art. 24)

While commending the Integrated Education Plan to help students with disabilities study in mainstream schools, the Committee is concerned about itsimplementation. The Committee worries that the teacher-student ratio is too high and that the training for teachers in special education needs is inadequate. In addition, the Committee is troubled by the low number of students with disability in tertiary education, due to lack of a coherent education policy.

The Committee recommends a review of the effectiveness of the Integrated Educated Pla n and the improvement of the teacher-student ratio , as well as the training of teachers in special education needs and reasonable accommodation . The Committee urges Hong Kong , China , to provide sufficient resources to ensure the accessibility in tertiary education.

Right to health (art. 25)

The Committee is troubled by the fact that the demand for public medical services is higher than the supply. The Committee is also concerned about the fact that many insurance companies reject the applications of persons with disabilities, thus leaving them unable to pay the medical fees.

The Committee suggests that Hong Kong, China , allocate more human and financial resources to the public medical services and arrange the cooperation of the insurance companies.

Work and employment (art. 27)

The Committee is concerned about the high unemployment rate of persons with disabilities in Hong Kong, China, and that their average salary ranks well below that of persons without disabilities. The Committee is also troubled by the low number of civil servants with disabilities.

The Committee recommends that Hong Kong, China , introduce affirmative action s to promote the employment of persons with disabilities, inter alia , to prioritize the employment of persons with disabilities as civil servants.

Adequate standard of living and social protection (art. 28)

The Committee is concerned about the family-based assessment for application and eligibility to receive the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. In addition, the Committee is worried about the different standards employed by doctors in approving the disability allowance.

The Committee suggests that Hong Kong, China , replace the family-based assessment with an individual-based one in order to determine the eligibility to receive the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. The Committee also recommends that Hong Kong, China , introduce uniform standards for approving the disability allowance.

Participation in political and public life (art. 29)

The Committee is concerned about the low number of persons with disabilities holding public offices and the inaccessibility of some polling stations for voters with disabilities.

The Committee urges Hong Kong , China , to enhance the active participation of persons with disabilities in politics through affirmative action and ensure the accessibility of all voting stations.

3.Specific obligations (arts. 31–33)

National implementation and monitoring (art. 33)

The Committee is worried by the low rank of the focal point, the Commissioner for Rehabilitation and the lack of an independent monitoring mechanism according to article 33, paragraph 2.

The Committee recommends that Hong Kong, China , strengthen the authority of the Commissioner for Rehabilitation and set up an independent monitoring mechanism that involves the active participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.

V.Macao, China

A.Positive aspects

The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Commission against Corruption, which has Ombudsman functions for the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Committee appreciates that persons with disabilities in Macao, China,are able to receive several subsidies as social protection.

The Committee commends article 5 (f) of Decree-Law 33/99/M, which stipulates the mandatory information of persons with disabilities of their rights and the existing structures assigned to provide them assistance.

B.Principle areas of concern and recommendations

1.Specific rights (arts. 5–30)

Equality and non-discrimination (art. 5)

The Committee is concerned about the existence of de facto inequality in Macao, China.

The Committee recommends that Macao , China , continue its efforts to ensure equality for persons with disabilities, so as to ensure the implementation of the spirit of the Convention .

Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (art. 16)

The Committee is concerned about the heightened risk of violence against women and girls with disabilities becoming victims of domestic violence and abuse.

The Committee recommends that services and information are made accessible to these victims. It specifically encourages Macao , China , to set up a complaint mechanism and conduct mandatory training for the police force on this issue.

Right to live independently and live in the community (art. 19)

The Committee is concerned that the right to live independently and in the community has not yet been fully achieved in Macao, China.

The Committee urges Macao , China , to prioritize the implementation of this right and shift from institutionalization to in-home or residential living , as well as provide other community support services.

Education (art. 24)

The Committee is concerned that the number of students with special educational needs in a non-inclusive environment is higher than that in an inclusive one. The Committee is also troubled by the low number of students with disabilities attending tertiary education.

The Committee wishes to remind Macao , China , that the concept of inclusive education is essential to the implementation of article 24 and should be the rule rather than an exception. The Committee calls upon Macao , China , to continue making tertiary education more accessible to students with disabilities .

Work and employment (art. 27)

The Committee is concerned that employees with disabilities only account for 0.3 per cent of the total employed population.

The Committee recommends Macao , China , to introduce more affirmative action to enable persons with disabilities to find employment.

VI.Follow-up and dissemination

The Committee requests the State party to implement the recommendations of the Committee as contained in the present concluding observations. The Committee recommends that the State party transmit them for consideration and action to members of the Government and the National People’s Congress, officials in the relevant ministries, members of relevant professional groups, such as education, medical and legal professionals, as well as local authorities and the media, using modern accessible social communication strategies.

The Committee strongly encourages the State party to involve civil society organizations, in particular disabled persons’ organizations, in the preparation of its second periodic report.

The Committee requests the State party to disseminate these concluding observations widely, including to non-governmental organizations and representative organizations of persons with disabilities, as well as to persons with disabilities themselves and members of their families, in accessible formats.

The Committee requests that the State party to submit within 12 months information, in writing, on the measures adopted in order to meet the recommendations set out in paragraphs 20and 50.

VII.Next report

The Committee requests the State party to submit its second periodic report by no later than 1 September 2014, and to include therein information on the implementation of the present concluding observations.