HumanRightsandDisability–NewandDynamicPerspectivewiththeUnitedNationsConventiononDisability.docVIP

HUMAN RIGTHS AND DISABILITY … A NEW AND DYNAMIC PERSPECTIVE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON DISABILITY Article written by Dr. Raymond Lang HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL Member of International Disability and Development Consortium Member of International Disability Caucus (IDC) November 2005 Introduction The United Nations are currently in the process of negotiating a Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignities of Persons with Disabilities. This proposed new international legal instrument has the potential to have a profound effect upon the lives of disabled people, for it will be the first time that disabled people’s rights are enshrined in an international legally binding treaty. After ratification it will ensure that signatories must uphold the rights of disabled people, and be seen to do so. This article seeks to explain the context of the convention, the process by which it is being enacted, and the role played by Southern-based disabled people’s organisations (DPOs), and Non Government Organisations (NGOs). The article will also consider some of the difficulties that are foreseen in implementing the substance of the convention, once it has become ratified. During the past two years, Handicap International has been an active member of International Disability Caucus – to date, a consortium of over 50 disabled peoples organisations and NGOs that are actively engaged in influencing the outcome of the Convention. Disability and the United Nations It has been estimated that there are approximately 600 million disabled people in the world, comprising 10% of the world population, the vast majority of which live in developing countries. Disabled people are more likely to be unemployed, be less educated, have less access to basic public services, as well as being one of the poorest, marginalized groups within contemporary society. Over the past 30 years or so, disabled people and their democratically elected organisations have been trying t