Pakistan Thanks UN Special Rapporteur for Report on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Pakistan has called for disability-inclusive humanitarian assistance during armed conflicts, foreign occupation, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, stressing that protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities is a fundamental human rights obligation.

Counsellor Saima Saleem made the remarks during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on October 23, 2026, the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN said on X.

She thanked the Special Rapporteur for her report highlighting the importance of disability-inclusive humanitarian assistance, noting that persons with disabilities face disproportionate challenges during conflicts and emergencies.

“Ensuring their protection, dignity and access to essential services must remain an integral part of humanitarian preparedness, response and recovery,” she said.

Saleem emphasised that disability inclusion should not be treated merely as a humanitarian consideration, but as a fundamental human rights obligation. She called for humanitarian responses to prioritise accessibility, meaningful participation and equitable access to assistance, particularly for the most vulnerable.

Highlighting Pakistan's contribution to international efforts in this regard, she drew attention to the adoption by consensus of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 80/305 on Access to Assistive Technology, presented by Pakistan.

The landmark resolution underscores the importance of ensuring access to assistive technology, particularly during humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, when such support becomes critical to the safety, mobility, communication and independence of persons with disabilities.

Pakistan stressed that access to assistive technology must be incorporated into humanitarian planning and response mechanisms to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind during emergencies.

During the dialogue, Saleem also sought the Special Rapporteur's views on how to systematically integrate access to essential assistive technology into humanitarian preparedness, emergency response, and recovery, particularly in situations involving armed conflict and foreign occupation.

Pakistan's intervention underscored the need for inclusive humanitarian frameworks that address the specific requirements of persons with disabilities and ensure their equal access to protection, assistance and essential services during crises.