Disability and Disarmament: A Call for Inclusion in Global Security

At Cape Breton University, we recognize the critical importance of disability rights in shaping a more inclusive, peaceful, and just world. The intersection of disability rights and disarmament is a crucial yet often overlooked area in global security discussions.

Joint Civil Society Statement

In October 2024, a historic Joint Civil Society Statement on Disability and Disarmament was delivered at the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security by leading experts, including two of our own professors, Dr. Sean Howard and Dr. Tammy Bernasky. This groundbreaking statement calls for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in disarmament processes, emphasizing that they are not victims to be assisted, but leaders in the quest for peace.

The statement underscores the need for disability inclusion in disarmament dialogues, aligning with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which views persons with disabilities as agents of change, not as passive recipients of aid. It highlights the disproportionate impact that armed conflict has on persons with disabilities and urges the global community to include their voices in efforts to dismantle the systems and weapons of violence that threaten global security.

Through our involvement in this important movement, Cape Breton University is committed to raising awareness, advancing research, and promoting advocacy for the inclusion of disability rights in international security and disarmament discussions. This initiative serves as a call to action, urging decision-makers worldwide to recognize the leadership and valuable contributions of persons with disabilities in shaping a more peaceful and accessible world.

Disability as a Missing Dimension in Disarmament Diplomacy

At a side event on October 29, 2024, Dr. Tammy Bernasky played a significant role by summarizing the Joint Civil Society Statement on Disability and Disarmament (p. 39). She emphasized the need to recognize persons with disabilities as rights-holders who can meaningfully contribute to disarmament efforts. Dr. Bernasky advocated for integrating disability considerations into existing resolutions and introducing a new resolution focused on disability, disarmament, and non-proliferation. This session underlined the importance of including disability in disarmament discussions to counter the marginalization of people with disabilities in policymaking, particularly in international forums like the First Committee. The event was a critical step in building momentum for future efforts to elevate disability rights in disarmament diplomacy.

First Committee Monitor

Dr. Howard & Dr. Bernasky reviewed the session to assess and highlight the current state of disability inclusion within disarmament discussions at the UN First Committee. They aimed to identify gaps where disability considerations were either missing or insufficiently addressed, and to advocate for stronger integration of disability rights into disarmament processes. You can read Dr. Howard and Dr. Bernasky’s review here on page 42.

By reviewing the session, they were able to spot opportunities for advocacy, analyze the impact of existing resolutions, and emphasize the need for more comprehensive approaches that recognize persons with disabilities as active participants in shaping disarmament outcomes. Their review helped to push for a paradigm shift—from viewing disability as a mere humanitarian issue to framing it within the context of human rights and agency, thus ensuring that disability inclusion becomes a central and permanent aspect of future disarmament diplomacy.