Our movement is deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM), a pioneer in the global self-advocacy, disability rights, and deinstitutionalisation movements.
As the first global self-advocate leader, he had enormous impact and represented the best from across our movement.
Robert Martin was one of us. He was a fundamental part of Inclusion International.
Sue Swenson, President, Inclusion International
Sir Robert Martin was a leader and life member of Inclusion International’s member People First NZ. He also was a national self-advocacy advisor and trainer for Inclusion International member IHC New Zealand between 1991 and 2010.
He made a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities both in New Zealand and overseas. It’s an incredible legacy.
Ralph Jones, Group Chief Executive, IHC New Zealand
Ralph Jones, Group Chief Executive of IHC New Zealand, commemorated Robert’s legacy, sharing, “I have known Sir Robert for many years and his achievements were remarkable.”
“We served together on the Council of Inclusion International and he made a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities both in New Zealand and overseas. It’s an incredible legacy.”
Sir Robert was fundamental to the negotiations surrounding the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – shaping the Convention from early stages.
In 2017, Sir Robert made history as the first person with an intellectual disability elected to serve on the UN CRPD Committee or a Human Rights Treaty Body.
He was involved in Inclusion International’s leadership as well. Sir Robert Martin served as the second self-advocate elected to Inclusion International’s governing Council, representing Asia-Pacific.
Robert Martin has been my inspiration. His determination to make change has made a difference in New Zealand and around the world.
Nagase Osamu, Secretary General of Inclusion International
In 2020, Sir Robert was re-elected for another 4-year term on the CRPD Committee. At the time of his passing, Robert was still active in his role on the Committee.
Tributes to Sir Robert Martin
“Robert Martin has been my inspiration. His determination to make change has made a difference in New Zealand and around the world,” said Inclusion International Secretary General Nagase Osamu.
Mia Farah, former Council member of Inclusion International and self-advocate, shared: “The news of Robert’s death saddened me. I first met Robert in New York during the Convention negotiations. It was my first job as a self-advocate.”
He gave me advice, explained to me what was being said and above all gave me confidence in myself
Mia Farah, former Council member and honorary member or Inclusion International
“Robert helped me straight away, he gave me advice, explained to me what was being said and above all gave me confidence in myself, always telling me, ‘ Mia, you have to talk about what affects you, if you don’t talk no one can do it for you and it is your right.’ “
Ralph Jones spoke with Inclusion International about Sir Robert Martin’s legacy within the deinstitutionalisation movement: “His early years were spent in institutional care and he talked about feeling the presence of the people who he lived with in some of New Zealand’s grimmest institutions. He said that, ‘I do because those people are really important to me. I have never forgotten my roots.’ “
I do [feel the presence of the people who have lived in New Zealand’s institutions] because those people are really important to me. I have never forgotten my roots.
Sir Robert Martin, Former Council Member, Inclusion International
Inclusion International Vice President, Luis Gabrielle Villareal stated, “Mr. Robert Martin, in your honour, I want to thank you for all the hard work you did for all of us; For sharing with us your stories of struggle and overcoming some really tough times. Thank you for opening doors for us and showing us the path to move forward.
Thank you for opening doors for us and showing us the path to move forward. Thank you for showing us that with inclusion, all obstacles can be overcome
Luis Gabrielle Villareal, Vice President, Inclusion International
“Thank you for showing us that with inclusion, all obstacles can be overcome. And most of all, thank you for helping us to build a better world”
In 2020 he was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He was the first New Zealander with an intellectual disability to be knighted.
Sir Robert’s life has inspired many. He went from living in an institution to becoming a knighted and important member of the United Nations CRPD Committee.
His journey shows the progress of the self-advocacy movement. Self-advocates are people with intellectual disabilities who speak up for themselves about the things that are important to them.
Sir Robert’s passing is a great loss to the communities he was a part of. He will be dearly missed by those whose lives he touched.
His legacy will continue as a champion for the rights and dignity of every person with a disability.
Share a memory
Do you have a memory or tribute of Sir Robert Martin you would like to share? Please email Clay at clay@inclusion-international.org to share your story. We will feature it on this page.