The Government's decision to sign a new UN convention enshrining the human rights of people with disabilities in international law has been welcomed by people with disabilities representative group Rehab.
The organisation said it represented a significant milestone in recognising the human rights of people with disabilities worldwide.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced yesterday that the Government had agreed to his proposal that Ireland should sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The text of the convention, which was negotiated over a five-year period, was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 13th last. It will be open for signature by member states from Friday. Mr McDowell said that Ireland will sign the convention on that date.
"There are an estimated 600 million people with disabilities around the world, many of whom are excluded from participation in mainstream society and from the benefits that participation brings. This convention represents a blueprint for a significant improvement in the lives of these people," he said.
He added that the Government would set up an implementation group to advise on any necessary changes to the Government's disability strategy. "The group will consult with representatives of people with disabilities as it carries out its work."
Rehab group chief executive, Angela Kerins, welcomed the decision: "The 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."
She said the convention would "guarantee human rights for people with disabilities in states that sign up to it, including those states where such rights had 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.
Signing the convention was "a first step" and she urged that the Government ensures Ireland lives up to all its provisions, as well as ensuring any barriers towards its 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 under way 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 added.
