UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities
International Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities promotes and protects the fundamental rights and freedom of people with disabilities (PWD) to enjoy equal footing in the society. It aims at promoting respect for the inherent dignity of PWD. The convention includes people with different types of disabilities, for example people with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities that can hinder their participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Brief History about the Convention
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted on 13 December 2006 by the United Nations General Assembly at New York. It was opened for signature on 30 March 2007 making it the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organizations.
On 30th March, 81 Member States and the European Community signed the Convention, which is the highest number of signatures of any human rights convention on its opening day. 44 Member States signed the Optional Protocol, and 1 Member State ratified the Convention.
The Convention was negotiated during eight sessions of an Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly from 2002 to 2006, making it the fastest negotiated human rights treaty. Signatories and Ratifications of Convention and Protocol.
What is UN Convention on Rights of PWD?
Apart from promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of PWD, the convention clarifies and qualifies how the rights apply to all people with disabilities. In addition the convention also identifies the following areas:
- Adaptations have been made for PWD to exercise their rights effectively
- Rights of PWD have been violated
- Protection of rights of PWD must be reinforced
The UN Convention resolution adopted by the General Assembly is divided into:
- Annex I: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Annex II: Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Annex I includes 50 articles covering topics such as Definitions, General obligations, Equality and non-discrimination, Women with disabilities, Children with disabilities, Awareness-raising, Right to life, Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies, Equal recognition before the law, Health, Liberty and security of person, Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Personal mobility etc
View details of Annex I at the UN Enable website.
Annex II includes around 18 articles covering protocol guidelines for the committee such as things that the committee needs to do with regards to communication with the State Party, how to hold meetings etc
View details of Annex II at the UN Enable website.
Statistics related to Signatories and Ratification
Following is the statistics that states the number of signatories and ratifications of the convention and protocol:
| Particulars | Signatories | Ratification |
|---|---|---|
| Convention | 121 | 14 |
| Optional Protocol | 68 | 7 |
List of countries that have signed and ratified the convention are mentioned in the UN Enable website.
Indian Perspective
According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi the UN Convention aims at promoting respect for inherent dignity of people with disabilities. As per 2001 Census report, Mr. Dasmunsi said that India has a 21.9 million people with disabilities who constitute 2.13 percent of the total population. The minister added 75% of disabled people live in rural areas, while 49% are literate and only 34% are employed.
According to a press release, the convention marks a major step towards changing the perception of disability and ensures that societies recognize that all people must be provided with the opportunities to lead a life to their fullest potential. The press release mentioned that India is committed to the elimination of the barriers that persons with disabilities face and the Constitution of India implicitly mandates an inclusive society for all, including those with disabilities.
Reference links:
- UN Enable website
(http://www.un.org/disabilities/) - List of countries that have signed and ratified the convention
(http://www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=17&pid=166) - News article on Indiaenews.com
(http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20070329/45234.htm) - News Article on NewKerala
(http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=7679)
