27 March
2007
(COLOMBO) A new human rights treaty
that would protect the rights of the world's 650 million
persons with disabilities will be opened for signature at
the United Nations on 30, March.
Over 40 countries have already
indicated they will sign the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities when it opens for signature by
States and regional organisations at a solemn ceremony in
the UN General Assembly hall.
Many more are expected to announce
their intention in the coming weeks leading up to the
signing event.
At its core, the convention ensures
that persons with disabilities enjoy the same human
rights as everyone else, and are able to lead their lives
as fully-fledged citizens who can make valuable
contributions to society if given the same opportunities.
It covers rights such as equality,
non-discrimination an equal recognition before the law;
liberty and security of the person; accessibility,
personal mobility and independent living; right to
health, work and education and participation in political
and cultural life. The treaty will enter into force when
ratified by 20 countries.
Disability organisations from
around the world are expected to attend the ceremony. It
was the disability community that came together at the
global level to fight for a specific treaty that would
recognise their rights.
The disability community quickly
organised itself into the International Disability Caucus
- a coalition of 70 international, regional and national
organisations.
Member States and the disability
community worked together at the UN to create a treaty
that ensures that persons with disabilities finally enjoy
all the rights and responsibilities that others in
society take for granted.
The convention demands real change
through effective legislation and a shift in attitude.
The 45 countries that have enacted
some legislation in this area have already demonstrated
that change in the area of rights for persons with
disabilities takes place far more rapidly when there are
laws.
The convention says implementation
will be progressive, and does not call on budget strapped
governments to pay for things they cannot afford. But it
sets out minimum measures to respect basic human dignity,
as well as longer-term goals to achieve full integration.
Also opening for signature is an
18-article Optional Protocol on Communications, which
will allow petitioning by individuals and groups on
alleged violations of their rights to a committee of
experts once all national recourse procedures had been
exhausted. UNIC
Source: www.dailynews.lk
