PHM-Exch> UN Applauds Decision of US to Join Landmark Disability Pact

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Marc Cohen mcohen at oxfamamerica.org

UN APPLAUDS DECISION OF UNITED STATES TO JOIN LANDMARK DISABILITY PACT
The United Nations has welcomed the signing by the United States of the
landmark treaty to protect and promote the rights of the world's
estimated 650 million people with disabilities.

Ambassador Susan Rice of the United States signed the
<"http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml">UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the world
body's Headquarters in New York yesterday, bringing the total number of
signatories to 141. So far the treaty has been ratified by 60 countries.

The Convention, which entered into force in May last year, asserts the
rights to education, health, work, adequate living conditions, freedom
of movement, freedom from exploitation and equal recognition before the
law for persons with disabilities.

In addition, the Convention's Optional Protocol allows individuals to
petition an international expert body with grievances.

By signing, and then ratifying the treaty, States commit themselves to
enact laws and other measures to improve disability rights, as well as
abolish discriminatory legislation, customs and practices.

"We are glad the United States has shown its commitment to be part of
the common effort to ensure the full recognition of the rights of
persons with disabilities in our societies," said Akiko Ito, the Chief
of the Secretariat of the Convention which is housed in the UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
(<"http://www.un.org/esa/desa/">DESA).

"We look forward to working with the US and hope to add their strength
to our work for persons with disabilities worldwide."
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For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
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