UN Enable - Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, flanked by Hjálmar W. Hannesson, Acting President of the General Assembly; and Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left), flanked by Hjálmar W. Hannesson (centre), Acting President of the General Assembly; and Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; addresses 12 May 2008 commemoration of entry into force of the Convention and Optional Protocol

Highlights

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities received its 20th ratification on 3 April 2008, triggering the entry into force of the Convention and its Optional Protocol 30 days later. This marks a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. On 12 May 2008, a commemorative event at United Nations headquarters in New York celebrates the entry into force.

According to United Nations officials, the rapid coming into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, which was opened for signature on 30 March 2007, is due to the strong commitment of United Nations member countries as well as advocacy by organizations of persons with disabilities, who were instrumental in drafting the Convention. Adopted by the General Assembly in December 2006, the Convention was one of the fastest treaties ever negotiated at the United Nations.

Convention in Brief

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2006, and opened for signature in March 2007. The Convention aims to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy human rights on an equal basis with others.

PowerPoint - Convention in Brief