Kiribati - Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Treaty

This report addresses Kiribati’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with respect to civic participation. Despite existing policies recognizing disability inclusion as a cross-sector priority, legal and structural barriers continue to restrict the full political engagement of persons with disabilities.

This report examines key concerns related to civic participation in Kiribati, including (1) discriminatory legal frameworks that deny suffrage and eligibility for election to persons deemed of “unsound mind,” undermining their political rights; (2) inaccessible physical infrastructure at polling centres; (3) limited access to education and civic knowledge, exacerbated by poor educational infrastructure and a lack of inclusive civic education; and (4) the absence of procedural mechanisms for complaints and feedback, leaving persons with disabilities voiceless.

This report recommends that Kiribati reform its constitutional and legal provisions to eliminate discriminatory disqualifications based on mental capacity, ensure binding accessibility standards at all polling centres, expand inclusive civic and general education for children and youth with disabilities, and establish accessible complaint and feedback systems to enhance meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life.