Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Overview

The Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) is committed to rendering Maltese society an inclusive one, in a way that persons with disability reach their full potential in all aspects of life, enjoying a high quality of life thanks to equal opportunities. In fulfilling this mission, CRPD works in order to eliminate any form of direct or indirect social discrimination against persons with disability and their families while providing them with the necessary assistance and support.

Brief history

The Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, previously known as the National Commission Persons with Disability, was founded on the 3rd of November 1987, when the then Minister of Social Policy, the Hon. Dr Louis Galea, had made a parliamentary statement announcing that he had appointed the first KNPD members.

On the 10th of February 2000, KNPD was officially founded, this time in accordance with Act No. 1 of the year 2000, the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act. KNPD has a wide variety of roles which are described in detail in the Act. The law empowers KNPD to investigate complaints it receives about breach of rights arising from discrimination, the enforcement of such rights as well as to promote, protect and monitor the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and to monitor Guardianship Orders.

Amendments to the Equal Opportunities Act (Bill 115) have been proposed in the year 2015 and the bill has been enacted in 2016. These amendments will continue to strengthen the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act and are available on the following link:

With these new amendments, the new name of the Commission has been changed to the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD).

CRPD forms part of the Ministry for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity.

Governing laws and regulations

Mandate

Sectors covered

Private, Public

Legal standing before the courts

Representing victims of discrimination before the courts, Bringing proceedings in the name of the equality body [with or without an identifiable victim] but on behalf of one or more individual person(s) who consents to this., Intervention in support of a party

Functions

• Making recommendations on claims of discrimination [or other decisions on the merit that are not legally binding]
• Undertaking ex-officio investigations
• Organising training, advising and capacity-building activities for particular stakeholders on meeting their obligations
• Organising awareness raising and communication activities
• Advising government on the development, adoption and amendment of law and policy
• Monitoring national law and policy from an equality perspective
• Carrying out specialist research on equality and non-discrimination
• Reporting to national and international bodies on discrimination issues
• Networking with relevant entities in the country and internationally

Fields and grounds

Other grounds

Health and disability

Other mandates of the institution

Multi-mandate equality body

• Designated as independent mechanism under UN CRPD Article 33(2)

Statistics

Institution

Management and Appointments

Management

Single headed equality body (led by director or ombudsman/commissioner)

The Commissioner leads the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) and is appointed by the Prime Minister. The Council for the Rights of Persons with Disability of the commission is composed of not less than 14 members. This includes 9 members representing voluntary organisations, 1 member from the University of Malta, 1 member representing service providers, 1 member representing residential homes for disabled people. There is also 1 member appointed by the Government and 1 member representing the Opposition party.

Procedure for nomination and appointment of management and board

Members of the Council are appointed by the Ministry for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations, and Consumer Rights. At least one-half of the members shall be persons with disability or family members of persons with disability who cannot represent themselves. The Commissioner, who shall also be a disabled person, is appointed by the Prime Minister.

Regional or Local offices

1

Accountability

National Ministry

Number of staff

Operating budget