Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the convention to protect the rights of persons with disabilities

The Secretary-General hails the agreement reached by a committee of the General Assembly last Friday night on a new treaty on the rights of persons with disabilities, to be adopted by the Assembly during its coming session, as a historic achievement for the 650 million people with disabilities around the world. He notes that people with disabilities have hitherto lacked adequate protection, and hopes that this long overdue Convention will mark the beginning of a new era in which they will have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. He urges all Member States to ratify the Convention and ensure its rapid implementation.