Rights of People with Intellectual Disability in C yprus: Policies and Practices Related to Greater Social and Educational Inclusion

The U nited N ations C onvention on the R ights of P ersons with D isabilities ( UNCRPD ) is the framework for national policies and practices that respect the rights of people with disabilities. UN and E uropean human rights entities produce reports that could be used by advocacy groups, such as organizations for people with disabilities, to hold governments accountable for their commitment to international law. This paper focuses on the extent to which policies and practices concerning the education and independent living of people with intellectual disability in C yprus allow for the full enjoyment of rights under A rticles 19 and 24 of the UNCRPD . Data were gathered through a systematic web search for documents of local, international, and E uropean bodies, covering the period A pril 2007 to J uly 2014. Documents reviewed included annual reports, country reports, legislative documents, conference papers, and newspaper articles. Findings show that the R epublic of C yprus has not taken significant measures to implement A rticles 19 and 24 of the UNCRPD . Existing policies and practices greatly restrict people with intellectual disability from exercising their human rights and fail to promote social and educational inclusion. The study raises questions about the essential nature of policies and practices for people with intellectual disability that may inform the debate in other national contexts.