This convention is a major step toward changing the perception of disability and ensures that societies recognize that all people must be provided with the opportunities to live life to their fullest potential, whatever that may be.īy ratifying a convention, and after the treaty comes into force, a country accepts its legal obligations under the treaty and will adopt implementing legislation. Throughout history, persons with disabilities have been viewed as individuals who require societal protection and evoke sympathy rather than respect. The Rules, however, are not a legally binding instrument, and disability advocates note that there are no enforceable obligations without a convention. and these have served as model legislation for a number of countries. In 1993 the UN adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Disabled Persons that have provided policy guidelines on promoting the same opportunities to persons with disabilities that others enjoy.
There have been prior efforts to promote disability legislation. A universal, legally binding standard is needed to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are guaranteed everywhere. Because of discriminatory practices, persons with disabilities tend to live in the shadows and margins of society, and as a result their rights are overlooked. While some countries have enacted comprehensive legislation in this regard, many have not.
Human rights conventions do not contain any enforcement mechanism to compel States to comply with the principles of the convention or with the recommendations of the monitoring body, and the implementation of these conventions depends on the commitment of each country. As contracting States are legally bound to adhere to the principles included in the convention, a monitoring body is often set up to assess State parties’ progress in implementing the convention by considering reports periodically submitted by States. Signing does not make a convention binding, but it indicates support for the principles of the convention and the country’s intention to ratify it. A convention becomes legally binding to a particular State when that State ratifies it. Existing international conventions cover different areas, including trade, science, crime, disarmament, transport, and human rights. Isn’t it expensive to make buildings accessible?Īn international convention or treaty is an agreement between different countries that is legally binding to the contracting States. What rights are addressed in the Convention? What Is Disability And Who Are Persons With Disabilities? How will this convention be monitored at the international level? What are the obligations of States who have signed the Convention?ĭoes it make economic sense for countries to adopt the convention? Will this convention create obligations for states? When will the new convention take effect? How accessible was the negotiation process?
How was the content of the Convention decided upon? How will the new convention help persons with disabilities? What about existing legislation? Is it not working? Why do we need a convention for persons with disabilities? Don't they have the same rights as everyone else? Skip navigation links Sitemap | About us | FAQsĬonvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities