Government Ratifies UN Disability Convention

The Barrier Free NZ Trust was invited by the Hon Ruth Dyson to celebrate at Parliament NZ’s imminent ratification of the UN Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 24th September 2008.

The ratification heralds a momentous day for the disabled community and continues the progress the government has made over the past eight years in promoting an inclusive society where people with disabilities are valued and can fully participate.

The Convention sets out in practical measures what States should do to ensure people with disabilities can enjoy human rights on an equal basis with others. It places obligations on States to promote and ensure those rights as well as mechanisms to support implementation and monitoring.

On 26th September, NZ’s Instrument of Ratification was deposited at the United Nations. Ratification takes effect 30 calendar days after the instrument is deposited which means that NZ will be able to attend the very first meeting of States Parties to this convention, which will be held from 31 October to 3 November 2008.

For more information on this Convention, head to the Office for Disability Issues website.