The UN Convention was opened for signature on March 30, 2007, after its formal adoption by the UN General Assembly on December 13, 2006. On the opening day of signature, a record-setting 82 states and the European Community signed the Convention, 44 states signed the Optional Protocol, and Jamaica became the first state to ratify the Convention. Since, many more states have signed, and they are now preparing for ratification by conducting such activities as analyzing domestic legislation, translating the text of the Convention, setting up the bodies mandated by the Convention, and consulting with local disabled peoples' organizations. For an up-to-date version of signatures and ratifications, see the List of Signatories and Ratifications(PDF) (Word), (large print version) or UN Enable's listing.

RI members around the globe celebrated the Signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. To read more, see Word with graphics or Text only. Over the last few months, RI has continued to work towards the goals outlined by the Convention, recently launching a global advocacy campaign for the UN Convention, its first phase beginning with raising awareness, global advocacy, and capacity building and networking. See details on the featured projects page.

RI has been involved with the UN Convention since its beginnings. In 1999, on the basis of a unanimous call from its Governing Assembly, RI revived efforts to establish a UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. RI played a major role in the 2000 Disability Sector Summit in China, which together with other international disability organizations issued the “Beijing Declaration,” calling for the development of such a UN Convention. In 2000 and 2001, RI representatives presented its Charter for the Third Millennium, calling for a UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, to nearly 100 national and international leaders.

Photo: RI organized several side events during sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee, to encourage dialogue on issues such as inclusive education, accessibility and HIV/AIDS and disability.

RI organized several side events during sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee, to encourage dialogue on issues such as inclusive education, accessibility and HIV/AIDS and disability.

RI played an active role in the negotiations during the Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) Meetings on the UN Convention held in New York, USA, including at the last session of the AHC in August 2006, when the text of the Convention was agreed. RI and its members participated in the discussions of several key issues for the organization such as the rights to accessibility, education, health, rehabilitation and work and employment, the need for international cooperation, the rights of children and women with disabilities and the importance of a comprehensive and effective monitoring system, among others.

In addition to sending weekly updates on the proposals and outcomes of the negotiations to RI’s global membership, RI kept the larger disability community informed of the negotiations by producing daily summaries.

Because of its consultative status with the UN, RI also facilitated the participation of numerous organizations and experts working in the disability field to attend the Ad Hoc Committee meetings. In addition, RI organized several side events on issues such as education and the rights of women with disabilities, in partnership with UN agencies as well as other NGOs.

Currently, RI is actively working towards prompt ratification and implementation of the UN Disability Rights Convention, in collaboration with the International Disability Caucus, a loose network of over 75 disability organizations worldwide.

Resources on the U.N. Convention

Resources on the Ad-hoc committee
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/adhoccom.htm

RI Summary Reports
RI 6th Ad Hoc Report -- Week One
RI 6th Ad Hoc Report -- Week Two

RI 5th Ad Hoc Report -- Week One
RI 5th Ad Hoc Report -- Week Two

Summary of the Resumed 8th session of the
Ad Hoc Committee (December 5, 2006) Word | PDF

March 30, 2007: More than 80 States Sign UN Disability Rights Convention on Opening Day

June 10, 2007, Berlin: Gerard Quinn on the UN Convention on the Human Rights of Persons With Disabilities

Advocacy & Projects

RI and the UN Convention

Resources on the U.N. Convention