Conference
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK, JUDICIAL PRACTICE AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
The conference provided a platform for a broad range of stakeholders to discuss, from both academic and practical perspectives, issues related to the legal protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, judicial practice, accessibility of judicial and legal proceedings, access to legal assistance, and equal access to justice.
The conference brought together representatives of the Supreme Court of Mongolia, Judicial General Council, Judicial Academy, Training and Research Institute of the Office of the Prosecutor General, Mongolian Bar Association, relevant government institutions responsible for disability rights, universities and research institutions, human rights and other civil society organizations, as well as researchers, lawyers and legal professionals.
A total of 36 research papers were submitted for the conference, of which eight papers were selected for presentation and discussion.
The presentations and discussions addressed a wide range of issues, including:
- legal protection of the rights of persons with disabilities;
- judicial practice and implementation of international human rights standards;
- accessibility of judicial and other legal proceedings;
- reasonable accommodation;
- the right of persons with disabilities to access justice;
- accessibility of legal assistance
- protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in criminal, civil and administrative proceedings;
- coordination and cooperation among relevant institutions.
As part of the conference, state-appointed lawyers from the Legal Aid Center, together with licensed lecturers from the Law School of the University of Internal Affairs of Mongolia, provided free legal advice and information to more than ten persons with disabilities. The consultations aimed to support them in understanding, exercising and protecting their rights and legitimate interests.
The combination of academic discussion with direct, practical legal support for persons with disabilities was one of the distinctive features of the conference. It demonstrated the importance of linking legal research and professional discussions with concrete mechanisms that improve access to justice for rights holders.
Based on the presentations and discussions, participants developed and discussed joint proposals and recommendations aimed at improving the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, including the legal framework, judicial and other legal proceedings, access to justice, legal assistance, and inter-institutional cooperation.
The conference provided an opportunity to examine the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in an integrated manner, bringing together law, judicial practice, legal assistance, accessibility and institutional cooperation. It also contributed to identifying areas for further action, research and professional training.
The conference highlighted that legal protection alone is not sufficient to ensure the effective realization of the rights of persons with disabilities. Accessible procedures, reasonable accommodation, clear and understandable information, accessible legal assistance, and qualified professionals are equally important to ensure meaningful and equal access to justice.