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Persons with Disabilities

The image depicts a scene of destruction and displacement, in Palestine. In the foreground, there are several people, including: 1. A woman in a wheelchair being pushed by another person wearing a red shirt and white hat. 2. A young man wearing a blue and red shirt standing nearby. 3. A woman wearing a black hijab standing to the right. Behind them, there is extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. A large building appears to have collapsed or been destroyed, with rubble and debris scattered around it. The surrounding area shows signs of destruction, with partially standing walls and damaged buildings visible. The scene suggests that these individuals are civilians fleeing or moving through an area that has seen significant destruction, possibly due to conflict. The presence of the wheelchair suggests that they may be assisting vulnerable individuals to evacuate or move through the affected area. The image conveys a sense of hardship and the human impact of destruction, whether from war or other causes. The report highlights the challenges faced by civilians in such situations, particularly those with limited mobility.

7 October: UN experts call for end of violence and accountability after year of human loss and suffering and blatant disregard for international law

October 10, 2024

GENEVA – Marking the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, the Israeli attack against the Palestinian population in Gaza that followed and consequent expansion of violence to the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory and other countries in the region, UN experts* today recalled the unbearable human cost of this escalation and reiterated the immediate need […]

A diverse group of individuals is seated around a large conference table in a formal meeting room. Each person has a microphone and some have nameplates indicating their affiliations, such as "IDA," "Arab States League," and "State of Palestine." The atmosphere suggests a high-level discussion or diplomatic meeting, with various languages being accommodated, as indicated by the labeled glass partition in the background.

Heba Hagrass demanded an immediate cessation of the war in Gaza

During a speech at the United Nations, Heba Hagrass demanded an immediate cessation of the war in Gaza, as Israeli military operations have turned the lives of disabled individuals there into a living hell. The tragedy of Hashem Ghazal, the spiritual father of the deaf in Gaza, and his family, all of whom are deaf, […]

an elderly man in a wheelchair, smiling and holding his glasses. There is a person standing behind him, wearing a teal medical uniform, suggesting they might be a caregiver or healthcare professional. The setting appears to be outdoors, possibly at a healthcare facility or a park.

As global emergencies proliferate, older persons must not be left behind: UN experts

GENEVA (14 June 2024) – UN experts said today the need for a paradigm shift in global emergency responses is clearer than ever, amid new conflicts characterised by disregard for civilian lives, disasters exacerbated by climate change, and the threat and continued impacts of pandemics. Such crises amplify the risks faced by older persons, and expose them to […]

At the conference room of the United Nations in New York, Heba Hagrass is center stage on the microphone. She's a white woman with short and light hair and uses a wheelchair. Behind her, at the highest part of the stage, are a man and two women sitting.

Heba Hagrass : the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in the Sustainable Development Goals one of my thematic priorities

In her speech at the opening session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP-17), Heba Hagrass stated: “I look forward with hope to the summit of the future and the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in the Sustainable Development Goals as one of […]

Heba Hagrass participates in the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations (COSP-17)

Heba Hagrass participates in the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations (COSP-17)

UN expert Dr. Heba Hagrass, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations, is participating in the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which kicks off today at the United Nations headquarters in New York. She delivered […]

Relief workers rescue an elderly woman in a wheelchair. After an Israeli air strike on Gaza

UN experts outraged by Israeli strikes on civilians sheltering in Rafah camps

GENEVA (29 May 2024) – Israeli air strikes on a camp sheltering displaced civilians in Tal al-Sultan in Rafah, that have reportedly claimed at least 46 lives including 23 women, children and older persons on Sunday night are an outrage, UN experts* said today, demanding decisive international action to end the bloodshed in Gaza. “Harrowing […]