DPI e-update
5 April 2008
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DPI Celebrates the 20th Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities
UN Headquarters, New York USA - At 11:30 AM today the Republic of Ecuador
deposited its instrument of ratification for the Convention of the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities. This in turn triggered the entry into force of
the Convention which will occur in 30 days on May 3, 2008.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon issued the following statement:
The Secretary-General welcomes the 20th State depositing a ratification or
accession today, which triggers the entry into force of the Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Protocol on 3 May 2008.
The Secretary-General congratulates the States that have already ratified or
acceded to the Convention for enabling the entry into force only a
year-and-a-half from its adoption by Member States on 13 December 2006.
It is estimated that there are at least 650 million persons with
disabilities worldwide, of whom approximately 80 percent live in
less-developed countries. The Convention, together with its Optional
Protocol, is deeply rooted in the firm commitment of the international
community to rectifying the egregious neglect and dehumanizing practices
that violate the human rights of persons with disabilities.
The Convention will be a powerful tool to eradicate the obstacles faced by
persons with disabilities: discrimination, segregation from society,
economic marginalization, and lack of opportunities for participation in
social, political and economic decision-making processes. It is a historic
moment in our quest for realization of the universal human rights for ALL
persons, creating a fully inclusive society for all.
Therefore, all States are called upon to ratify or accede to this Convention
without delay. They will have an opportunity to deposit instruments of
ratification or accession to this Convention during this year's annual
treaty event at the beginning of the sixty-third General Assembly session.
Upon hearing the news, DPI contacted His Excellency, Ambassador Luis
Gallegos, now Ecuador's Ambassador to the United States, previously first
chair of the Ad Hoc Committee which drafted the historic treaty.
Regarding the news, Ambassador Gallegos said, "It's true. Ecuador's is the
20th Ratification and we will have a Convention in 30 days!" Ambassador
Gallegos went on to reflect on his involvement with the treaty's
development, saying, "it has been a noble and wonderful experience to
accompany the Disabled Persons Movement from the origin of the negotiation
to this historic moment in which we have a binding international convention
to protect and promote their rights. And finally he voiced the hope of all
of us involved in the work of the Convention by saying, "I hope it will
change societies and end discrimination and the exclusion of persons with
disabilities."
For additional information contact:
Mary Ennis, Executive Director, DPI Headquarters Tel: +1 709 747 7600, or
email [log in to unmask]
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The UN DESA secretariat on the convention is planning a big celebration in
New York on May 12 and I am preparing a first meeting of the IDA CRPD forum
steering committee on Sunday May 11 and Tuesday afternoon May 13.
On Tuesday May 13 in the morning, we could try to have an informal meeting
of the IDA CRPD FORUM.
Lex Grandia IDA Chair
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http://www.un.org/disabilities/
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/ratification/15.htm
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