Geraldine McGahey and Alyson Kilpatrick

The two commissions are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Northern Ireland.

In yesterday’s statement, chief commissioners Alyson Kilpatrick and Geraldine McGahey warn that controversial new legislation will negatively impact disabled people at a time when the UK government is already failing to fulfil its obligations under the UNCRPD.

The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill is currently being considered by MPs in Westminster.

Ms Kilpatrick and Ms McGahey said: “Last year the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlighted the failure of the state to address grave and systematic violations of the human rights of persons with disabilities, and a failure to eliminate the root causes of inequality and discrimination.

“We are extremely concerned at the lack of progress and action to address these human rights and equality failings. The UK government’s recently approved welfare reform measures also risk exacerbating issues already affecting persons with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

“Worryingly, there has been limited consultation with persons with disabilities. Any changes to welfare should include careful and meaningful consultation with disabled people and their representative organisations, as required by the UNCRPD.

“We urge the UK government and NI Executive to act now to review the impact of all new welfare measures on disabled people in Northern Ireland and uphold its international human rights obligations.

“It is time to address the issues raised by the UNCRPD committee and implement their recommendations without delay.”