News

Volume 2 Issue 24 - December 15, 2004

UN Convention on Rights of Disabled People concludes final stage

DNIS News Network - The UN is well on its way to creating a legally binding framework for promoting the rights of the world’s 600 million disabled people.

The United Nations Committee charged with drafting the first-ever International Convention on the Rights of Disabled People has unanimously adopted the report resulting from its fourth and final session.
During the two-week meeting, the Ad Hoc Committee concluded a first reading of the Treaty which was proposed by the General Assembly in 2001.
The Treaty, which aims to protect the rights of disabled people, has moved beyond the traditional concepts of access to the physical environment. It now includes broader issues such as equal access to education, employment, health and political participation. It is expected that the Convention will be presented for adoption by the Assembly in September 2005. This will create a legally binding framework for promoting the rights of the world’s 600 million disabled people.