Historical event: The first ever UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed

New York, March 30, 2007

81 countries and the European Commission signed the Convention, among them more than 40 Member States have decided to sign the text of the Optional Protocol at the official opening signature ceremony on March 30, 2007 in New York.

The provisional list of signatories – being updated – is attached.
The focus will now shift to Member States and their national legislations.

The Convention will enter into force when ratified by 20 countries.

The unique role of the disability NGOs in the drafting of the new UN Convention was highlighted. The representatives from 350 international disability organizations were attending the official ceremony.

For the first time a United Nations Treaty focuses on the protection of persons with disabilities´ rights.In three years the Convention went from dream to reality. On its adoption on December 13, 2006 it became the first human rights treaty of the twenty-first century, and the fastest negotiated international human rights instrument in history.

The treaty is encouraging. The Convention specifically prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in all areas of life, including employment, access to justice and the right to education, health services and access to transportation. It requires that public spaces and buildings be accessible to persons with disabilities, and it seeks improvements in information and communication infrastructure, as well.
Furthermore the Convention is recognizing that a change of attitude towards disabled people and the negative stereotypes and prejudices in the society is vital as well as promotion of awareness for people´ s abilities and their contribution to society.


FIMITIC highly welcomes the Convention as the first universal legally binding standard to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.


The text of the Convention and the Protocol can be downloaded from here


Provisional list of signatories that have provided copies of full powers to the United Nations Treaty Section to sign the Convention on 30 March 2007

List is being updated daily



Algeria
Antigua y Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Cape Verde
Chile
China
Congo (Republic of Congo)
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Gabon
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica Also RATIFICATION (Convention only)
Jordan
Kenya
Liberia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Panama
Paraguay
Portugal
Republic of Korea
San Marino
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Syria
Thailand
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
Uganda
United Kingdom
United Republic of Tanzania
Yemen
European Community