UK ratifies human rights treaty for disabled people
No matter how finely tuned your news radar is, it might have slipped your notice that two days ago on Monday 8th June, the UK finally ratified the . Perhaps it's not so surprising that many missed this important story, since it doesn't seem to have been very widely.
The Convention is a landmark agreement that aims to give the world's 650 million disabled people full equality, and ratification means that a country accepts its legal obligations under the treaty and ensures that any necessary laws are passed.
But what rights are guaranteed for disabled people by this Convention? Well, in summary, it's about protecting your rights when it comes to making your own decisions; saying no to being placed in an institution; saying no to medical or psychological treatment; and living in the community. It also seeks to remove barriers to participation in daily life and enable equal opportunities for all.
Getting to this point has been a slow process, though. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the treaty way back in ; it was opened for signatures by UN member countries in March 2007; and it came into force in when Ecuador, the twentieth of the 139 signatories to the Convention, ratified it.
The UK government, meanwhile, has been in recent months for delaying our ratification - although it was one of the first countries to sign the original treaty - and for to particular parts of the Convention relating to immigration, education and the armed forces. (If you want to read more about these, there are details on the government's website.)
But after all the official discussions and debates, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is finally here. We're interested to know what you think of it, and whether you foresee it bringing about any big changes in the lives of disabled people. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
• In March 2008, Ouch's own Tom Shakespeare wrote about the UN Convention, saying: "Passing disability civil rights statutes is relatively simple and looks nice. Doing something to improve the situation for disabled people is complicated, costly and difficult. So expect lots of the former and less of the latter in future". Read the full article here.
Comment number 1.
At 15th Jun 2009, Chris_Page wrote:There should be no opt-outs. The government should have ratified it in its entirety. Doing anything less is a fudge.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 22nd Jun 2009, biglegless wrote:Opt out opt in, if it is right it is right. Nothing will change!
How can you opt out of inhumanity?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 10th Jul 2009, sesley wrote:I want to know if this treaty will protect people like Gary Mackinnion a man with Aspergers,from being extradited to America for tapping into Nasa computers looking for aliens.He is being treated as a terroist,only people like us that know about autism/apsergers know, he is innocent for pursuing his obcessions and to extradite him is inhumane and against his human rights as a disabled man.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 20th Aug 2009, dennisjunior1 wrote:Vaughan :::
That is good news, that the U.K. is in the process
of accepting the treaty for Disabled Persons...
=Dennis Junior=
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 6th Oct 2009, teknoir wrote:the mere suggestion of opt in/out of human rights for those suffering already as a result of natural causes or otherwise seems to me to be an unthinkable idea. why? we should want to have for others that which we want for ourselves. to suggest that,we have by signing up to this, done something incredible is a confirmation that the disabled are somehow less equal to the rest (?)
it has long been labour policy in my view,to treat us separately - the race relations act meant that the crime against coloured people was somehow justify-able and thus the police often actually took little notice. this in my view is still prevalent.
the gay community, i feel too finds itself in the same quagmire.
now add to that another section of mankind.
when are governments going to realise that we all deserve respect and same rights the same protection in law. non of us is subjected differently when it comes to voting (thank god) and taxation
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)