
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.
Latest developments
Convention and Optional Protocol Signatories & Ratifications
- 129 signatories to the Convention
- 71 signatories to the Optional Protocol
- 26 ratifications of the Convention
- 16 ratifications of the Optional Protocol
- Map of Signatures and Ratifications as of 15 May 2008
Qatar ratified the Convention on 13 May 2008
Bangladesh acceded to the Optional Protocol on 12 May 2008
Zambia signed the Convention on 9 May 2008
Joint communiqué issued by States parties, 5 May 2008
Celebration of Entry into Force of Convention and Optional Protocol
UPCOMING EVENTS
ENABLE NEWSLETTER - SPECIAL EDITION: March 2008 - Newsletter Subscription Form
Report: Mainstreaming disability in the development agenda (E/CN.5/2008/6) [MS Word]
High Commissioner for Human Rights - Commitments towards employment of staff with disabilities
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Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention - in PDF |

