UN rights experts: women with disabilities should be empowered News
UN rights experts: women with disabilities should be empowered

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [website] released a statement [text] Tuesday that women with disabilities face discrimination and are often excluded from freely participating in society. The statement, aimed at member states that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [materials], urged empowerment for women with disabilities, so they may enjoy their fundamental rights. The committee has issued a General Comment [materials] to guide member states in structuring health, educational and employment opportunities to better serve this population.

The promotion of rights for persons with disabilities is a critical issue around the world. Earlier this month the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit against the state of Georgia alleging the “unnecessary segregation of persons with disabilities in state programs, services, and activities” [JURIST report]. In April the advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed France is failing to provide adequate mental health care [JURIST report] and appropriate conditions for prisoners with psychosocial disabilities. In 2015 HRW condemned the EU for refusing to take action to address Hungary’s alleged problematic laws and practices regarding human rights [JURIST report] since the European Commission enacted a “rule of law” measure [text, PDF] in March 2014. Hungary’s problematic practices include limitations on the powers of the Constitutional court; restraints on media freedom; and restrictions on the rights of women, people with disabilities, religious groups and homeless people.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.