Rehab Welcomes Ireland’s Lead on UN Rights Convention
The Rehab Group welcomed the Government’s decision to be among the first group of countries to sign a new UN Convention enshrining the human rights of people with disabilities in international law.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has opened for signature at the UN headquarters in New York, represents a significant milestone in the recognition of the human rights of people with disabilities worldwide.
Said Rehab Group Chief Executive, Angela Kerins: “The Irish Government has been a leading player in the adoption of this important legislation for people with disabilities and we hope now that States around the world will follow its example by signing the Convention without delay.
“This convention will guarantee human rights for people with disabilities in states which sign up to it, including in States where such rights have been denied to people with disabilities up to now. It is to be hoped that all states will agree to sign and ratify this convention, to ensure a global improvement in the full and equal enjoyment by people with disabilities of their rights. I hope that Ireland’s prompt signature will show leadership to other nations and prove that this is a serious matter which requires nations to take steps to implement human rights for people with disabilities on an equal basis with others.”
Ms Kerins said that signing the Convention was only a first step and she urged that the Government ensure Ireland lives up to all its provisions as well as ensuring that any barriers towards its swift final ratification are removed.
“It is important to acknowledge what has already been achieved here in Ireland. We now have a national disability strategy, with the Disability Act, Sectoral Plans, new legislation underway that will provide for advocacy services and multi annual funding dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can have equality of opportunity in access to public services, employment, training, and also access to high quality health, social care and education services. It is vital that the Government continue its work in implementing this strategy, in consultation with all stakeholders, to demonstrate in practical terms a commitment to full realisation of equality for people with disabilities, removing any remaining barriers. “
She congratulated the many Government officials who played a major role in the long and sometimes difficult process to get agreement on the Convention. She said the Rehab Group, as an organisation with NGO consultative status at the UN had also contributed in a significant way to the consultation process on the Convention over a period of many years.
“We must acknowledge the enormous role played by Ireland in this process. Since the idea for a convention was first mooted, Ireland has played an important part in ensuring that this day was reached. In particular during our holding of the EU Presidency in 2004, but also throughout the entire process, Ireland’s contributions have had a positive impact on the final convention text. The skills of our diplomats must be acknowledged.”
28 March 2007