Celebrating 10 Years of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
On 13 December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that established the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
The Convention’s aim is to “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.”
Its main message is that persons with disabilities are entitled to the full spectrum of human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination. To that end, the Convention promotes the full participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life, challenging customs, stereotypes, prejudices, harmful practices and stigma relating to persons with disabilities.
In the 10 years since its adoption, the Convention has been one of the most quickly ratified of all the international human right treaties and, to date, more than 160 States have ratified it. Yet huge challenges remain in achieving the full enjoyment of rights by all persons with disabilities.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities monitors how countries that have ratified the Convention are doing by reviewing them regularly and issuing concrete recommendations on how violations can be tackled and rights upheld.
Film to celebrate 10 years of the CRPD
April 2016 marks the start of a year-long effort to promote the CRPD. Events are aimed at promoting knowledge of the Convention, as well as pushing for ratification from States that have not done so. This list of events will change: 19 April 2016 – Day of General Discussion on the rights of persons with disabilities to live independently. Palais Nations, room XIX, 10 am. For more information please go to the web page.