01 September 2006 - New human rights convention for disabled people agreed at the United Nations
A significant step forward in enabling disabled people across the world to enjoy full participation in society has been achieved at the United Nations, where the text of a Human Rights Convention for disabled people has been agreed.
This agreement followed extensive negotiations that began back in 2002, and in which the UK played a high-profile role whilst holding the Presidency of the European Union in the later half of 2005.
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, said:
“I am sure many across the world will look to this Convention as a long overdue victory for all disabled people.
“It was important for the UK that the agreed text adequately protected the human rights of 650 million disabled people worldwide and that the negotiations were concluded in the shortest time possible. I am pleased that we have succeeded on both counts. I now look forward to the General Assembly’s adoption of the agreed text and to the United Kingdom’s ratification of the Convention.
“I am also pleased that the UK’s decision to allow Dr Richard Light to be part of these negotiations and to represent the views of the UK disability community has proved so valuable in ensuring that the Convention meets the approval of those it sets out to protect.”
Dr Richard Light, Independent UK Delegate member, said:
“The Government has given its full and forthright support to both the convention and the wider goal of advancing disabled people’s human rights. As a result, the UK has, since the outset – and until the final moments before its adoption – played a key role in negotiating this treaty.
“That the government was prepared to allow an outspoken human rights activist a place on the official delegation at the UN is, to my knowledge, unprecedented and further shows its commitment to the process.”
Notes to editors
- Anne McGuire is Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions
- Dr Richard Light is an independent consultant on disability issues and represented non-governmental disability organisations as a member of the UK delegation which negotiated the text for the Convention. His involvement ensured that disabled people had direct participation in the negotiation process.
The purpose of the UN Convention is 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 dignity.
It will promote the participation of and respect for disabled people in a wide range of areas of society, and covers aspects such as:
- Living independently and being included in the community
- Equality and non-discrimination
- The position of disabled women and children
- Access to justice
- Education
- Health
- Work and employment
- Participation in political and public life
- Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
- International cooperation
- The next stage is for the UN General Assembly to adopt the text formally later this year. Following adoption, it will be for individual Member States to sign and ratify the Convention. The UK has already signalled its intention to ratify.
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