Summary: Commission Welcomes UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Brussels : 26 August 2006)
Commissioner Spidla said "I welcome wholeheartedly the conclusion of the negotiations on the comprehensive UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which represents a major success. The Commission participated actively in the negotiations and the European Community will be a party to this Human Rights Treaty. I also welcome the participation of organisations of persons with disabilities, including European ones, all along the negotiation process."
The Convention establishes clearly that disability is a Human Rights issue and that persons with disabilities shall enjoy the full range of Human Rights (civil, political, economic, social and cultural) and fundamental freedoms. The Convention is fully in line with the EU approach to non-discrimination, equal opportunities and active inclusion of all persons with disabilities in society.
This Convention is the first UN Human Rights Treaty to which the European Community will be a party. The Commission participated in the negotiations alongside the various Presidencies making full use of its competences. The Council issued a negotiating mandate to the Commission in 2004, since the Convention touches upon Community competences. The Commission issued a Communication to support the elaboration of this Convention at the opening of the European Year of People with Disabilities in
January 2003.
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