CRPD/C/FRA/CO/1

France (CRPD 4 October 2021)

The Committee considered the initial report of France1 at its 539th, 540th and 541st
meetings,2 held online on 18, 20 and 23 August 2021. It adopted the present concluding
observations at its 549th meeting, held online on 7 September 2021.

Concluding observations on the initial report of France

III. Principal areas of concern and recommendations

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

10. The Committee recalls its general comment No. 7 (2018) and recommends that the State party:

(a) Revise the provisions in article 1 of Act No. 2005-102 with a view to strengthening and implementing transparent mechanisms to consult closely with and involve actively persons with disabilities, through their representative organizations, in public decision-making processes at all levels, including in implementing, monitoring and reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals;

(b) Ensure meaningful and effective support and consultations with the diverse organizations of persons with disabilities, as outlined in general comment No. 7, paying attention to organizations of persons with intellectual disabilities, autistic persons, persons with psychosocial disabilities, women with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons with disabilities, persons living in rural areas, Roma persons with disabilities and those requiring high levels of support.

Protecting the integrity of the person (art. 17)

36. The Committee notes with concern that:

(a) Women with disabilities who are subject to guardianship can be subjected to abortion or sterilization with consent provided by third parties, including trusted persons, family members or guardians;

(b) Autistic children are subjected to treatment aimed at rendering them “nonautistic”, thus disrespecting their identity, and to the practice of packing, despite public declarations prohibiting this practice;

(c) Intersex persons are subjected to medical interventions without their consent.

37. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Prohibit involuntary sterilization and abortion of women with disabilities, including at the request of family members, guardians and trusted persons or with the consent of third parties;

(b) Eliminate the use of normalizing treatments for autistic children, and adopt measures to redress the rights of children and adults with disabilities who have been subjected to these treatments, including through reparations and compensation for the impact of these treatments on their physical and mental integrity; CRPD/C/FRA/CO/1 11

(c) Prohibit the practice of subjecting intersex persons to medical interventions without their consent.