What is the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

A milestone for the advocacy of the rights of persons with disabilities is now steadily gaining worldwide acceptance and support. This is known as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities refers to a document focusing on international human rights of people with disabilities. It was created by the United Nations and is being monitored by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 2006. The Convention was opened for signature on March 30, 2007. It then came into force on May 3, 2008, after the Convention’s ratification by the 20th party. There are a total of 71 countries that have ratified the convention. Some of the countries that have ratified the Convention include Australia, Belgium, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The UN.org website has a section where interested groups and individuals can read the latest developments regarding the convention.

The Convention intends to ensure equal rights to people with disabilities. This is done by elaborating in detail the rights of persons with disabilities and setting out a code of implementation.

Guiding Principles of the Convention

Eight principles form the base for the Convention and the articles included in it. Below are the guiding principles:

• 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

An Overview of the Convention

The Convention consists of 50 articles. Below is a brief overview of each group of articles:

Article 1 identifies the purpose of the Convention:

“to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity”

Articles 2 to 3 provide definitions of terms and general principles.

Articles 4 to 32 define the specific rights of persons with disabilities. Included in the articles are the obligations of states parties towards persons with disabilities. Below are the points covered by this article group:

• General obligations
• Equality and non-discrimination
• Women with disabilities
• Children with disabilities
• Awareness-raising
• Accessibility
• Right to life
• Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies
• Equal recognition before the law
• Access to justice
• Liberty and security of person
• Freedom of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
• Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse
• Protecting the integrity of the person
• Liberty of movement and nationality
• Living independently and being included in the community
• Personal mobility
• Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information
• Respect for privacy
• Respect for home and the family
• Education
• Health
• Habilitation and rehabilitation
• Work and employment
• Adequate standard of living and social protection
• Participation in political and public life
• Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
• Statistics and data collection
• International cooperation

Articles 33 to 39 focus on procedures for reporting and monitoring of the Convention. Below are the points covered by the said article group:

• National implementation and monitoring
• Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Reports by States Parties
• Consideration of reports
• Cooperation between States Parties and the Committee
• Relationship of the Committee with other bodies
• Report of the Committee

Articles 40 to 50 focus on ratification, entry into force, and amendment of the Convention. Below are the points covered by the convention’s final article group:

• Conference of States Parties
• Depositary
• Signature
• Consent to be bound
• Regional integration organizations
• Entry into force
• Reservations
• Amendments
• Denunciation
• Accessible format
• Authentic texts

Full Text of the Convention

The full text of the Convention is available in the UN.org website. The site also provides a concise version of the Convention.