Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Concluding observations on the initial report of Italy *

I.Introduction

1.TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofItaly(CRPD/C/ITA/1)atits283rdand284thmeetings(seeCRPD/C/SR.283and284),heldon24and25August2016.Itadoptedthepresentconcludingobservationsatits294thmeeting,heldon1September2016.

2.TheCommitteewelcomestheinitialreportofItaly,whichwaspreparedinaccordancewiththeCommittee’sreportingguidelines,andthankstheStatepartyforthewrittenreplies(CRPD/C/ITA/Q/1/Add.1)tothelistofissuespreparedbytheCommittee(CRPD/C/ITA/Q/1).

3.TheCommitteeappreciatestheconstructivedialogueheldwiththeStateparty’sdelegationandwelcomes the further clarifications provided in response to the questions posed orally by the Committee.

II.Positive aspects

4.TheCommitteenoteswithappreciationtheadoptionin2010oftheNationalDisabilityActionPlanandtheratificationin2013ofthe Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (theIstanbulConvention).ItcommendstheStateparty,whichforthelastthreedecadeshasbeenstrivingtoimplementaninclusiveeducationsystemfreeofsegregation.

III.Principal areas of concern and recommendations

AGeneral principles and obligations (arts. 1-4)

5.TheCommitteeisconcernedthattherearemultipledefinitionsofdisabilityacrosssectorsandregionsleadingtodisparityinaccesstosupportandservices.Furthermore,disabilitycontinuestobedefinedthroughamedicalperspective,andtherevisedconceptofdisability,asproposedbytheNationalObservatoryontheStatusofPersonswithDisabilities,isnotalignedtotheConventionandlacksbindinglegislationatboththenationalandregionallevels.

6. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a concept of disability in line with the Convention and ensure legislation is enacted that incorporates the new concept in a homogeneous manner across all levels and regions of government and territories.

7.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofconsultationwithpersonswithdisabilitiesthroughtheirrepresentativeorganizationsandbythefactthattheNationalObservatoryontheStatusofPersonswithDisabilitiesisnotapermanentconsultativebody.Itisalsoconcernedbythefailuretoprioritizetheinputoforganizationsofpersonswithdisabilitiesbytreatingallstakeholderviewsequallyandtherebylimitingtheinputofpersonswithdisabilities,includingwomenandchildrenwithdisabilities,indirectdecision-makingprocesses.

8. The Committee recommends that the State party establish a permanent consultative body that effectively and meaningfully consults with persons with disabilities through their representative organizations in the development of all laws, policies and programmes, and that it ensure that a broad range of persons with disabilities that reflect the diversity of people’s backgrounds, including age, sex, faith, race, sexual orientation, migrant status and impairment groups, meaningfully participate in an inclusive and accessible manner in direct decision-making processes that affect the lives of persons with disabilities at all levels and within all sectors of the State party.

B.Specific rights (arts. 5-30)

Equality and non-discrimination (art. 5)

9.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatnationallegislationlacksadefinitionofreasonableaccommodationanddoesnotincludeanexplicitrecognitionthatthedenialofreasonableaccommodationconstitutesdisability-baseddiscrimination.

10. The Committee recommends that the State party immediately adopt a definition of reasonable accommodation aligned with the Convention, and enact legislation that explicitly recognizes the denial of reasonable accommodation as disability-based discrimination across all areas of life, including within public and private sectors.

11.TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheabsenceoflegislationandmechanismswithamandatethataddressesmultiplediscrimination,includingeffectivesanctionsandremedies.

12. The Committee recommends that the State party enact appropriate legislation and policies designating enforcement mechanisms to address multiple and intersectional discrimination, including effective sanctions and remedies, and that it provide training to all departments and ensure persons with disabilities have information on lodging complaints and seeking remedies. It also recommends that the State party take into account article 5 of the Convention while implementing targets 10.2 and 10.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Women with disabilities (art. 6)

13.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatwomenandgirlswithdisabilitiesarenotsystematicallymainstreamedinthegenderequalityagendaanddisabilityagenda.

14. The Committee recommends that gender be mainstreamed in disability policies and disability be mainstreamed in gender policies, both in close consultation with women and girls with disabilities and their representative organizations. It also recommends that the State party take into account article 6 of the Convention and the Committee’s general comment No. 3 (2016) on women and girls with disabilities while implementing targets 5 . 1, 5.2 and 5.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Children with disabilities (art. 7)

15.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatnationwidedataonthenumberofchildrenwithdisabilitiesaged0-5years,disaggregatedbyage,disabilityandsex,isinsufficientinscopeanddetailtounderstandthesituationofchildrenwithdisabilities.

16. The Committee recommends that the State party improve immediately data collection to ensure early detection, intervention and service provision for all children with disabilities, particularly for the 0-5 age group.

17.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatthepolicyframeworkforaddressingchildpovertyforthosewithdisabilitiesisinadequateandmonitoringmechanismsareabsent.

18. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that policies aimed at addressing child poverty specifically include children with disabilities through their representative organizations and that the monitoring of the implementation of those policies and on poverty levels among children with disabilities is undertaken in close consultation with children living in poverty and their families.

Awareness-raising (art. 8)

19.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofeffectiveandappropriatemeasurestopromotethecapabilitiesofpersonswithdisabilitiesandlackofmeasurestocombatstereotypesandprejudicesthroughpublicawarenesscampaignsandtheuseofmassmedia.

20. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt measures to raise public awareness using mass media campaigns and by training people who work in the mass media about the negative effects of stereotypes and the importance of portraying the positive contributions made by persons with disabilities, in particular women and girls with disabilities.

Accessibility (art. 9)

21.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutinsufficientinformationoncomplaintsandthemonitoringofaccessibilitystandards,includingwithintheuseofpublicprocurement,andthelackofenforcementandsanctionsfornon-compliance.

22. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen data collection, monitoring and sanctions mechanisms, including within public procurement laws and policies, to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. This must include website accessibility and access to emergency services, public transport, buildings and infrastructure. It also recommends that the State party pay attention to the links between article 9 of the Convention and the Committee’s general comment No. 2 (2014) on accessibility, and targets 11.2 and 11.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of persons with disabilities; and provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for persons with disabilities.

23.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutinsufficientdataconcerningthelimitedavailabilityofaccessiblecommunicationsacrossthepublicsector,includingtheeducationsector.

24. The Committee recommends that the State party carry out an audit and action plan to ensure the provision of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers and professional sign language interpreters, and augmentative and alternative communication across all public sectors. In particular, augmentative and alternative communication must be provided free of charge in the education sector.

Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies (art. 11)

25.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthechallengesencounteredbyrefugees,migrantsandasylumseekerswithdisabilitiesarrivingintheStateparty,especiallythosewithpsychosocialdisabilities,inaccessingappropriateprocessingfacilitiesandmentalhealthsupport,includingcounselling.

26. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all persons with disabilities arriving in the State party are able to access facilities on an equal basis with others and that those with psychosocial disabilities are given appropriate support and rehabilitation through strengthened systems. It also recommends that the State party ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and endorse the 2016 Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action.

Equal recognition before the law (art. 12)

27.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatsubstituteddecision-makingcontinuestobepractisedthroughthemechanismofadministrativesupport “AdministrazionediSostegno”.

28. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal all laws that permit substituted decision-making by legal guardians, including the mechanism of administrative support and the enactment and implementation of supported decision-making provisions, including the training of professionals in the justice, health and social sectors.

Access to justice (art. 13)

29.TheCommitteeisconcernedwiththelackofanti-discriminationtraininggiventopersonnelinthejudicialandlawenforcementsectorswithregardtoequalrightsinallaspectsofmarriageandfamilylifeforpersonswithdisabilitiesandoncombatingnegativestereotyping.

30. The Committee recommends that the State party provide training to personnel in the judicial and law enforcement sectors on the right of all persons with disabilities to marriage, family, parenthood and relationships, on an equal basis with others, including their right to retain fertility and found a family, as outlined in article 23 of the Convention.

31.TheCommitteeisconcernedattheinaccessibilityofthejusticesystemwithregardtoinformationandcommunications.

32. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the provision of full procedural accommodations, including professional sign language interpretation, and information in easy-to-read and Braille formats. It also recommends that the State party take into account article 13 of the Convention while implementing target 16.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Liberty and security of the person (art. 14)

33.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutrestrictivemeasuresfor “sociallydangerous” persons,includingpersonswhoaredeemedadangertothemselvesorothers.

34. The Committee recommends that the State party carry out legal and policy reform in order to prohibit detention, including involuntary hospitalization and/or treatment, on the grounds of disability, as outlined above, so that laws and policies are harmonized with the Committee’s statement on article 14.

35.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatthecriminallawoftheStatepartyallowspersonswithintellectualorpsychosocialdisabilitiestobedeclaredunfittoplead,withoutapplicationoftherulesofdueprocessforafairtrial.Itisalsoconcernedthatpersonswithdisabilitieswhoaredeclaredunfittopleadmaybesubjectedtosecuritymeasuresinvolvingforceddeprivationoflibertyforanindefinitetime.

36. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal criminal laws that allow persons with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities to be declared unfit to plead, allowing the full application of the rules of due process for a fair trial. It also recommends that the State party ensure that safety measures do not involve indeterminate deprivations of liberty without proof of guilt.

37.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofequaltreatmentofprisonerswithdisabilitiescomparedwiththosewithoutdisabilities.

38. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the provision of reasonable accommodation to prisoners with disabilities to ensure their participation in and access to all services and activities, on an equal basis with others, in prisons or other centres of detention.

Freedom from torture or cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (art. 15)

39.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutmedicalexperimentationonpersonswithdisabilitieswithouttheirfreeandinformedconsent.

40. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal as a matter of urgency all laws that allow legal guardians to consent to medical experimentation on behalf of persons with disabilities.

41.TheCommitteeisconcernedthattheremitofthemandateofthenationalpreventivemechanismdoesnotextendtopsychiatricinstitutionsorotherresidentialfacilitiesforpersonswithdisabilitieswheretheyaredeprivedoftheirliberty.

42. The Committee recommends that the national prevent i ve mechanism immediately visit and report on the situation in psychiatric institutions or other residential facilities for persons with disabilities, especially those with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities.

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

43.TheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackoflegalprovisionsandmonitoringmechanismstodetect,preventandcombatviolencewithinandoutsidethehome.

44. The Committee recommends that the State party enact legislation, including monitoring mechanisms, to detect, prevent and combat violence within and outside the home of persons with disabilities, especially for women and children with disabilities, and that it produce an action plan to implement the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence ( the Istanbul Convention), which specifically address women and girls with disabilities. It also recommends that the State party ensure that members of the police, judiciary, health and social services receive training, and the availability to those subjected to violence of accessible and inclusive support services, including police reporting, complaints mechanisms, shelters and other support measures.

Protecting the integrity of the person (art. 17)

45.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatchildrenaresubjectedtoirreversiblesurgeryforintersexvariationandothermedicaltreatmentswithouttheirfreeandinformedconsent.

46. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that no one is subjected to scientific undocumented medical or surgical treatment during infancy or childhood; that it guarantee bodily integrity, autonomy and self-determination to the children concerned; and that it provide families with intersex children with adequate counselling and support.

Living independently and being included in the community (art. 19)

47.TheCommitteeisdeeplyconcernedaboutthetrendtore-institutionalizepersonswithdisabilitiesandthatfundsarenotbeingreallocatedfrominstitutionstopromotingandensuringindependentlivingforallpersonswithdisabilitieswithintheircommunity.Furthermore,itnoteswithconcernthegenderedconsequencesofthecurrentpolicieswherewomenare “forced” toremainwithinthefamilyascaregiversoftheirpeerswithdisabilitiesinsteadofbeingemployedinthelabourmarket.

48. The Committee recommends that the State party implement safeguards to retain the right to autonomous independent living across all regions, and redirect resources from institutionalization to community-based services and increase budget support to enable persons with disabilities to live independently across the country and have equal access to services, including personal assistance.

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

49.TheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackofofficialrecognitionofsignlanguage,anditslimiteduseinbroadcastpurposes. ItisalsoconcernedaboutthelackofacknowledgementofBrailleandtactilecommunicationaseffectivetoolsfortheeducationofblindordeaf-blindpersons.

50. The Committee recommends that the State party expedite the enactment of legislation on the proposed provisions to remove communication barriers, recognize the Italian sign and tactile languages and promote inclusion for deaf and deaf-blind persons and those with hearing disabilities in general. It also recommends that the State party significantly increase the provision of sign language in public broadcasting, and that it take concrete measures to ensure the teaching of standardized Braille to blind persons and tactile communications to deaf-blind persons to enable them to gain access to information, rather than assistive technology alone.

Respect for home and family (art. 23)

51.TheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackofspecificmeasurestosupportfamiliesofchildrenwithdisabilitiesoradultswithhighlevelsofsupport,includingfinancialsupport.

52. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate specific financial, social and other resources across all regions to ensure all families with members with disabilities, including those members with high support needs, can gain access to all the support they require, beyond the list of tax exemptions listed by the State party (see CRPD/C/ITA/Q/1/Add.1, para. 52), to ensure the right to home and family and to inclusion and participation in their local communities, and to eliminate resorting to institutionalization.

53.TheCommitteeisdeeplyconcernedthatadministrativebarriers,includinginaccessibleprocedures,stillexisttoparentswithdisabilitiestoadoptchildrenwithorwithoutdisabilities.

54. The Committee recommends that the State party review current laws, policies and practices relating to adoption, and provide support to parents with disabilities to retain full parental responsibility for their children.

Education (art. 24)

55.TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheabsenceofdataandindicatorstomonitorthequalityofeducationandinclusionofstudentswithdisabilitiesinmainstreamschoolsandclasses;thequalityofteachers’education,includingpre-serviceandin-servicetrainingoninclusiveeducation;andthelackofimplementationoflaws,decreesandregulationsoninclusiveeducation.

56. The Committee recommends that the State party implement an action plan — with sufficient resources, timelines and specific goals — aimed at monitoring the implementation of laws, decrees and regulations to improve the quality of inclusive education in classrooms, support provisions and teacher training across all levels. It also recommends that the State party be guided by article 24 of the Convention, including its general comment No. 4 (2016) on the right to inclusive education, in implementing targets 4.5 and 4 (a) of the Sustainable Development Goals, to ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training, and build and upgrade education facilities that are disability-sensitive and safe.

57.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatdeafchildrenarenotprovidedwithsignlanguageinterpretersinschoolifrequested.

58. The Committee recommends that the State party monitor and provide highly qualified sign language interpreters for any deaf child who requests such assistance, and to desist from recommending general communication assistants as an exclusive alternative.

59.Thecommitteeisconcernedatthelackofavailabilityofaccessiblelearningmaterialsandthelackofassistivetechnologyinatimelymanner,whichhindersthequalityofeducationinthemainstreamsetting.

60. The committee recommends that the State party undertake, through legislative and other measures, including the newly drafted decree on education, to guarantee the availability of accessible learning materials and the provision of assistive technology in a timely manner in order to ensure inclusive and quality education in the mainstream setting.

Health (art. 25)

61.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofphysicalaccessibilityandinformationregardingsexualandreproductivehealthservices,includingdiscriminationandstereotyping,particularlytowomenandgirlswithdisabilities.

62. The Committee recommends that the State party, in close collaboration with organizations representing persons with disabilities and particularly those representing women with disabilities, ensure accessibility to facilities and equipment, information and communications regarding sexual and reproductive health services, and that it provide training to health personnel about the rights of persons with disabilities. It also recommends that the State party strengthen mechanisms to combat discrimination and stereotyping in line with its general comment No. 3.

63.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofdataonmedicaltreatmentadministeredwithoutthefreeandinformedconsentoftheperson,includingsterilization.

64. The Committee recommends that the State party abolish all laws that permit medical treatment, including sterilization, consented by a third party (parent or guardian) without the free and informed consent of the person, and that it provide related high-quality training to health professionals.

65.TheCommitteeisconcernedattheslowprogressofadoptingandfundingtheMinimumStandardsofHealthCare,includingearlyidentificationandinterventionforchildrenwithdisabilities.

66. The Committee recommends that the State party expedite the adoption, funding and implementation of Minimum Standards of Health Care so all children have access to early identification and intervention according to their requirements. The Committee recommends that the State party take into account article 25 of the Convention while implementing targets 3.7 and 3.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Habilitation and rehabilitation (art. 26)

67.TheCommitteeisconcernedattheslowprogressinimplementingtheNationalMinimumStandardsofHealthCarewithrespecttocomprehensiveservicesandprogrammesofhabilitationandrehabilitation,andthefactthatthoseStandardsdonotcoverindependentlivingandpersonalassistanceschemestooffersupportforlivinginthelocalcommunities,butcontinuetodirectresourcestoinstitutionalizedliving.

68. The Committee recommends that the State party review and revise the Minimum Standards of Health Care, in close consultation with organizations representing persons with disabilities; that it refrain from focusing resources on segregated services; and that it redirect resources to support independent living. It also recommends that the State party expedite the adoption, funding and implementation of those Standards, so that all adults and children with disabilities have full access to comprehensive services and programmes of habilitation and rehabilitation within their community.

Work and employment (art. 27)

69.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthehighlevelsofunemploymentamongpersonswithdisabilities,andinadequateprovisionstopromotetheirinclusionintheopenlabourmarket,inparticularwomenwithdisabilities.The Committee is concerned that persons with disabilities in the State party may be restricted to the performance of certain professions on the grounds of their disability.

70. The Committee recommends that the State party be guided by article 27 of the Convention in implementing targets 8.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals; and that it ensure the achievement of full and productive employment and decent work for all, including persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. In addition, the State party must implement special measures to address the low level of employment for women with disabilities. It also recommends that the State party remove any legislation limiting the rights of persons with disabilities to perform any profession on the grounds of their disability.

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

71.TheCommitteeisconcernedabout:(a)regionalvariationsofsocialprotectionmechanisms;(b)thelackofMinimumStandardsofSocialAssistance;(c)thehighlevelofpovertyamongpersonswithdisabilitiesandtheirfamilies,inparticularchildrenwithdisabilities;and(d)thelackofassessmentofthe adverse effect of austerity measures.

72. The Committee recommends that the State party expedite constitutional reform to homogenize social protection interventions and policies throughout the national territory; expedite the adoption and implementation of the Minimum Standards of Social Assistance; conduct assessments of the impact of austerity measures on children and adults with disabilities; and prevent any further reduction in resources that could increase levels of poverty. It also recommends that the State party be guided by article 28 of the Convention in implementing target 10.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals, including by mainstreaming disability in its poverty reduction policies.

Participation in political and public life (art. 29)

73.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatpersonswithintellectualdisabilitiesand/orpsychosocialdisabilitiesdonotreceiveadequatesupportinordertoexercisetheirrighttovote,andthatarticle48oftheConstitution,whichrestrictstherighttovotebasedon “civilincapacity”,isinconsistentwiththeConvention. TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheinabilityofpersonswithdisabilitiestovotewherevertheychooseduetolegalrestrictionsimposedonthem.ItisalsoconcernedthattheregulationonassistanceforpersonswithdisabilitiesinordertocasttheirvoteisnotconsistentwiththeConvention.

74. The Committee recommends that the State party repeal article 48 of the Constitution and provide support and facilitation services to ensure all persons with disabilities can exercise their right to vote, including persons with intellectual disabilities and/or psychosocial disabilities. It also recommends that the State party repeal law No. 62/04, which restricts persons with disabilities to vote at polling stations of their choice. It further recommends that the State party harmonize its regulatory framework on assistance for persons with disabilities to exercise their right to vote in compliance with the Convention.

Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport (art. 30)

75.TheCommitteeisconcernedthattheStatepartyhasnotratifiedtheMarrakeshTreatyto Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.

76. The Committee recommends that the State party streamline all efforts for the prompt ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty.

C.Specific obligations (arts. 31-33)

Statistics and data collection (art. 31)

77.TheCommitteeisconcernedattheavailabilityandqualityofdatacollectioninsurveysandcensusesonthegeneralpopulationthatisdisaggregatedbydisability,sexandage.

78. The Committee recommends that the State party be guided by article 31 of the Convention in implementing target 17.18 of the Sustainable Development Goals, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by, among others, income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts, including in all surveys and censuses.

International cooperation (art. 32)

79.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofmainstreamingofdisabilityrightsasenshrinedintheConventioninthenationalimplementationandmonitoringofthe2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment.

80. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that disability rights, as enshrined in the Convention, are mainstreamed in the national implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and that those processes be undertaken in close cooperation and involvement with organizations of persons with disabilities.

National implementation and monitoring (art. 33)

81.TheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackofanindependentandinclusivemonitoringmechanisminlinewitharticle33(2)oftheConvention.

82. The Committee recommends that the State party immediately establish and implement an independent monitoring mechanism that adheres to the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles), and that it provide adequate funding for its functioning and the full involvement of organizations of persons with disabilities in its work.

IV.Follow-up

Cooperation and technical assistance

83. Under article 37 of the Convention, the Committee can provide technical guidance to the State party on any queries addressed to the experts via the secretariat. The State party can also seek technical assistance from United Nations specialized agencies with offices in the country or the region.

Dissemination of information

84. The Committee requests the State party to submit within 12 months and in accordance with article 35 (2) of the Convention information in writing on the measures taken to implement the Committee’s recommendations set out in paragraphs 10 and 82 above, regarding the adoption of a definition of reasonable accommodation and implementing an independent monitoring mechanism, respectively.

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

86. The Committee strongly encourages the State party to involve civil society organizations, in particular organizations of persons with disabilities, in the preparation of its periodic report.

87. The Committee requests the State party to disseminate the present concluding observations widely, including to non-governmental organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities, and to persons with disabilities themselves and members of their families, in national and minority languages, including sign language, and in accessible formats, and to make them available on the government website on human rights.

Next periodic report

88. The Committee requests the State party to submit its combined second to fourth reports by 11 May 2023 and to include in them information on the implementation of the recommendations made in the present concluding observations. It also requests the State party to consider submitting the above-mentioned reports under the Committee’s simplified reporting procedure, according to which the Committee prepares a list of issues at least one year prior to the due date for the report of a State party. The replies of a State party to such a list of issues constitute its report.