100 countries sign United Nations convention
Frank Buckley
A new UN treaty, launched earlier this year, promises to promote the interests and safeguard the rights of people with disabilities around the world.
Buckley F. 100 countries sign United Nations convention. Down Syndrome Research and Practice. 2007;12(1);5-5.
doi:10.3104/news.2035
An estimated 650 million people (around 10% of the world's population) live with
a disability. A new UN treaty promises to promote the interests and safeguard the
rights of people with disabilities everywhere.
Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, addresses
the signing ceremony, held in the UN General Assembly Hall, at UN Headquarters
in New York.
Signing of new UN Convention on rights of disabled persons. More
than 75 countries participated in the signing ceremony, the most for the opening
of any treaty. The event was attended by over 350 representatives of disability
organisations from around the world, who were instrumental in the negotiation of
the treaty.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted
on 13 December 2006 and opened for signature on 30 March 2007. In July, Qatar became
the 100th country to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities. The UN is now hopeful that the treaty could take effect
in early 2008.
Guiding principles of the convention
- Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make
one's own choices, and independence of persons
- Non-discrimination
- Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
- Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human
diversity and humanity
- Equality of opportunity
- Accessibility
- Equality between men and women
- Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect
for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.
The full text of the convention and further information can be found on the United
Nations web site at www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable
The treaty was drafted by an Ad Hoc Committee, established by the General Assembly
of the United Nations in 2001. Delegates to the Ad Hoc Committee represented NGOs,
Governments, national human rights institutes and international organisations.
The convention aims to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment
of all human rights by persons with disabilities. It covers a number of key areas
such as accessibility, personal mobility, health, education, employment, participation
in political life, and equality and non-discrimination.
Countries adopting the convention will have to adopt measures that promote the human
rights of persons with disabilities without discrimination. These measures may include
anti-discrimination legislation, the eradication of laws and practices that discriminate
against persons with disabilities, and the involvement of persons with disabilities
when adopting new policies and programmes.
The 100 signatories to the treaty so far include 55 countries that have also signed
the Optional Protocol. That protocol allows for individuals and groups to petition
the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities once all national recourse
and procedures have been exhausted.
Once the convention enters into force, a Committee on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities will be established to monitor its implementation.
Frank Buckley is at
Down Syndrome Education International, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.
doi:10.3104/news.2035