CRPD Reaches 100 Ratifications
The ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by Colombia on 10 May 2011, brings a total of 100 State Parties to the Convention.
Geneva, May 13th, 2011 – Since its opening for signature on 30 March 2007, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the CRPD) has had a large number of signatures and ratifications, and has broken new ground by being the first UN human rights treaty to be ratified by an economic integration organization (the European Union). However, there are still many States that have not signed or ratified the CRPD and its Optional Protocol (OP).
"Achieving the threshold of 100 ratifications demonstrates that the CRPD has a widespread support by the international community" said Diane Richler, IDA Chair, "Many countries have cemented their commitment to promote and safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities; however, there still is a long way ahead to ensure the full respect for the dignity, non-discrimination, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others".
On this day, IDA calls upon all States that have not yet ratified the Convention to undertake all necessary legal actions to ensure the swift ratification of the CRPD without reservations or interpretations, and reminds those that have ratified of the need for proactive implementation of the CRPD through legislative and programmatic action, with the active involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities at national, regional and international levels.
States are urged also to ratify the Optional Protocol to allow individuals and groups to submit complaints of human rights violations directly to the international committee of experts. These complaints procedures are particularly important to ensure the effective delivery of justice for human rights violations.
IDA also urges States, that have ratified with reservations or declarations to withdraw them, including those that have been challenged by other States because being against the object and purpose of the Convention. Ratification of both the CRPD and its Optional Protocol, without reservations and/or declarations, demonstrates a State’s clear commitment to the universal human rights enshrined in the CRPD.
Contact: Stefan Trömel at stromel [at] ida-secretariat.org
IDA Website: www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org
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