Key features of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Introduction
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 13th 2006, and entered into force on May 3rd, 2008.
To date, the Convention has been ratified by 162 countries worldwide, including 25 Member States of the EU, and the EU itself. The latter is an historical mark, since it was the first time an international convention on Human Rights was ratified by a regional organization.
The UNCRPD’s purpose 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 inherent dignity”, as laid down in article 1. Article 3 establishes the general principles to be respected in order to attain this objective: full and effective participation and inclusion in society; non-discrimination; equality of opportunities; respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy, including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons; accessibility.
The Convention has appointed a Committee composed of 18 independent experts. The Committee will review State reports and adopt concluding observations, undertake inquiries into States parties when there is reliable information of grave and systematic violations of the Convention, hold thematic discussions and adopt general comments.
Member States, after ratifying the Convention, have to draft an initial report on the implementation of the Convention (within two years). This report will be submitted to the Committee, which analyses and discusses it, adopting concluding recommendations. This process takes place then every four years.
The binding nature of the UNCRPD makes it an especially important instrument to ensure the respect and improvement of the rights of persons with disabilities, and the Committee’s role is crucial to ensure its correct implementation by the Member States.
