Possible First Human Rights Treaty for 21st Century

Posted August 3, 2006 in News

United Nations General Assembly President Jan Eliasson has written to all United Nations Member States, encouraging them to give priority to the convention. He advises that some 650 million people - or one in 10 of the worlds's population - are believed to be living with some form of disability, and yet there is no international convention to uphold their rights.

Last year's World Summit endorsed the need for a new convention on the rights of people with disabilities.The next round of negotiations on the Convention are scheduled to take place in New York from 14-25 August. This year's negotiating session will include delegates from all Member States and representatives of more than 90 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It will be chaired by Don Mackay, New Zealand's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva.

Proponents of the convention say such a legally binding document is needed because persons with disabilities often lack legal recourse to protect their rights. As a result they are barred from employment and education opportunites and their needs for access to health, transportation and justice are often overlooked or ignored.

The convention would obligate countries, for instance, to gradually include disability-friendly features into the construction of new facilities, promote and improve access to education and information, and introduce measures that eliminate discriminatory practices. The convention recognizes countries will need some time to fully implement its provisions.

Courtesy United Nations News Centre

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