The rights of the persons with disabilities

Handicap International's actions against landmines and cluster bombs are continuing, but disability rights are another important area of advocacy at the heart of our activities. Our organisation took an active part in the drafting of the International Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, alongside the States and other members of civil society.
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13th December 2006 after 5 years of preparation, the convention opened for signature and ratification on 30th March 2007. This text is an historical step forward for disabled people all over the world.

«We've been waiting for a text like this for years”, said Jean-Marc Boivin, head of advocacy and political action. It was of critical importance because until now there has been nothing to oblige the States to take the world's 650 million disabled people into consideration. They are widely discriminated against, are often the poorest and have no access to education, work, health... From now on, they will no longer be considered as objects, but as citizens in their own right. “

The role played by civil society will continue to be decisive during the ratification process, and even more so in ensuring that it is effectively applied. Handicap International will therefore be working to ensure that France and all the other developed countries in which it is represented implement the Convention at home and in their international cooperation actions. In all the countries where it has a programme, our organisation will build the capacities of local stakeholders to enable them to use this new instrument for defending their rights.

Le Canada a signé la Convention internationale relative aux droits des personnes handicapées mais ne l’a toutefois pas ratifié. Le gouvernement a déclaré en 2008 vouloir faire de la ratification de cette Convention, une priorité. Handicap International appel donc le gouvernement à respecter ses engagements et à accélérer le processus de ratification de la Convention.