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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has welcomed the General Assembly's adoption today of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a landmark legal instrument that sets out to protect the rights of some 650 million people worldwide. "The Convention, the first human rights treaty of the new century, marks a historic step in ensuring that persons with disabilities enjoy full participation in society and can contribute to the community to their full potential", the High Commissioner said. Comprising 50 articles, the Convention fills a major gap in international human rights law. It covers, among others, the rights to education, health, work, adequate living conditions, freedom of movement, freedom from exploitation and equal recognition before the law. The Convention also promotes accessibility of buildings, transportation and the internet as well as the full participation of persons with disabilities in society. An optional protocol to the Convention will allow persons with disabilities to petition an international expert body when rights have been violated. The Convention provides that State that ratify it should enact laws and other measures to improve disability rights, and also to abolish legislation, customs and practices that discriminate against persons with disabilities. The Convention highlights the need for a change of attitude as a necessary step towards the achievement of equal status for persons with disabilities. "Speedy ratification of the Convention will end the protection vacuum that has, in practice, affected persons with disabilities", Ms. Arbour said. The Convention will be open for signature and ratification on 30 March 2007, and will enter into force after it has been ratified by 20 countries. Further information
Owner: Louise Arbourpdf: http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/AFAFA4767FC73128C12572...