CRPD/C/COL/CO/1

Colombia (CRPD 30-09-2016)

The Committee considered the initial report of Colombia (CRPD/C/COL/1) at its 281st and 282nd meetings (CRPD/C/SR.281 and SR.282), on 23 and 24 August 2016. At its 292nd meeting, held on 31 August 2016, it adopted the following concluding observations.

Concluding observations

B. Equality and non-discrimination (arts. 5-30)

Health (art. 25)

56. The Committee is concerned at:

(a) The low level of compliance with Act No. 1616 on mental health, in relation to informed consent for invasive surgical procedures and psychiatric treatment;

(b) The lack of accessibility in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services, including those relating to HIV/AIDS;

(c) The prejudice and negative attitudes of health-care service providers, both generally and in services specializing by type of disability;

(d) Inadequate or non-existent coverage in rural areas and very remote locations.

57. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure the observance of the right of free and informed consent of persons with disabilities regarding health care, including sexual and reproductive health, services related to HIV/AIDS, and psychiatric services and interventions, through the use of protocols;

(b) Train health personnel on the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, including the right to free and informed consent;

(c) Take steps to ensure the accessibility of all health-care services, in terms of both information and communications, and physical facilities, equipment and furniture;

(d) Provide the financial and human resources necessary to extend health care to all persons with disabilities, in particular those who are victims of armed conflict, women, children or older persons with disabilities; Afro-Colombian, Raizal or indigenous persons; living in rural and remote areas; or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex;

(e) Be guided by article 25 of the Convention in pursuing targets 3.7 and 3.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals.