BOGOTA -The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Heba Hagrass, today urged Colombia to translate its robust legal framework into concrete actions that guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities throughout the country's vast territory.
"Colombia has demonstrated remarkable political and legal commitment to the rights of persons with disabilities since its ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Now, that commitment must be reflected in effective policies that transform the lives of persons with disabilities in their communities from an intersectional approach," Hagrass said in a statement at the end of her visit to the country.
During her visit, the expert observed important progress, such as the elimination of guardianship regimes, the legal commitment to inclusive education and efforts to adopt a comprehensive policy to establish a national care system with the potential to transform the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. "This policy must focus on care and support and put the independence and autonomy of persons with disabilities at the forefront," she said.
The Special Rapporteur commended good practices in moving away from institutionalisation of children with disabilities towards community living, including foster families. However, she expressed concern about persistent barriers to access basic services and rights, such as health, education, employment, justice, and political participation, as well as the lack of disaggregated data based on disability.
"Many persons with disabilities still face stigma, exclusion, and structural barriers to realising their rights, especially in rural and remote areas," Hagrass said.
The expert expressed alarm at reports of forced contraception and sterilisation of women and adolescents with disabilities and urged the Government to monitor compliance and enforce existing regulations throughout the entire health system, both public and private, and punish these practices.
The Special Rapporteur stressed the urgent need to adopt a national policy for deinstitutionalisation and invest in successful models of community living.
She called for the speedy adoption of a new national public policy on disability with an intersectional and territorial approach, and of ensuring that persons with disabilities are actively involved in its design and implementation.
"The voices of persons with disabilities must be a driving force for change," Hagrass said.
The expert will present her full report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026.
