20/02/2008: The importance of the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the EU Member States was stressed by Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, MEP during her recent intervention at the plenary session of the European Parliament.
The Convention was adopted on 13 December 2006 by Resolution 61/106 of the 61st General Assembly of the United Nations. Its aim is to protect persons with disabilities and to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy human rights on an equal basis with others.
The legal framework created by the Convention clearly shows the radical shift in global perception towards people with disabilities, emphasising in particular the importance of their taking part in decision-making processes of concern to them. Through its 50 articles, the Convention covers a wide range of rights afforded to persons with disabilities across activity fields, such as healthcare, justice, family, employment, participation in political and cultural life. Particular importance is given to the right of children with a disability to develop their abilities and potential.
Among the general principles of the Convention are the respect for human dignity, for freedom of initiative and for achieving autonomy, as well as the equality of opportunities and abolition of discriminations.
The Convention has been open for signature since 30 March 2007. It will enter into force upon ratification by at least 20 signatory States. However, to this day only 16 States have successfully taken this step, among which there are only 2 EU Member States (Spain and Hungary). Greece signed the Convention on 30 March 2007 and its ratification is pending.
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou calls on fellow Members of the European Parliament to work towards additional Member States ratifying the Convention as part of the European policy for the protection of human rights and human dignity, thereby assisting in the abolition of existing stereotypes and biases detrimental to persons with disabilities.
For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
e-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu
The Convention was adopted on 13 December 2006 by Resolution 61/106 of the 61st General Assembly of the United Nations. Its aim is to protect persons with disabilities and to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy human rights on an equal basis with others.
The legal framework created by the Convention clearly shows the radical shift in global perception towards people with disabilities, emphasising in particular the importance of their taking part in decision-making processes of concern to them. Through its 50 articles, the Convention covers a wide range of rights afforded to persons with disabilities across activity fields, such as healthcare, justice, family, employment, participation in political and cultural life. Particular importance is given to the right of children with a disability to develop their abilities and potential.
Among the general principles of the Convention are the respect for human dignity, for freedom of initiative and for achieving autonomy, as well as the equality of opportunities and abolition of discriminations.
The Convention has been open for signature since 30 March 2007. It will enter into force upon ratification by at least 20 signatory States. However, to this day only 16 States have successfully taken this step, among which there are only 2 EU Member States (Spain and Hungary). Greece signed the Convention on 30 March 2007 and its ratification is pending.
Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou calls on fellow Members of the European Parliament to work towards additional Member States ratifying the Convention as part of the European policy for the protection of human rights and human dignity, thereby assisting in the abolition of existing stereotypes and biases detrimental to persons with disabilities.
For further information:
Tel: +32-2-2847447, Fax: +32-2-2849447
e-mail: marie.panayotopoulos-cassiotou@europarl.europa.eu
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