3rd December, International Day of People with Disabilities
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC), today, reiterates its call on the Government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities without further delay. The IHRC is making this call on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3rd December. The aim of the Day is to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and the gains for society from the integration of people with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.
Dr Maurice Manning, President of the IHRC stated "The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities puts human rights standards in place that enhance the dignity and autonomy of people with disabilities and the Convention imposes stringent measures on States to meet those standards. The Irish Government has yet to ratify this important Convention. Priority must be given to removing the remaining barriers to ratification by Ireland of the Convention, such as the need to enact reforming legislation in relation to mental capacity, so that ratification can take place as swiftly as possible."
Dr Manning continued, "The IHRC also welcomes the recent decision by the European Council to open the way for the European Union to become a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and making it the first comprehensive human rights convention to which it will become a party. The Irish Government should act without delay to ratify it also."
Mr Éamonn Mac Aodha, Chief Executive of the IHRC said, "We look forward to the swift ratification of this important Convention by Ireland. The strong monitoring mechanisms at international and national level that are required under the Convention will be particularly important in ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities are promoted and protected and that the coming into force of the Convention has a real and positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities. At the national level, the designation of an independent mechanism is required which would promote, protect and monitor the Convention and its rights, and work closely with people with disabilities and their representative organisations."
ENDS/
For further information please contact:
Fidelma Joyce
Irish Human Rights Commission
Tel: 01 8589601 Mob: 087 7834939
Notes to the Editor:
Further information on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities can be found at: www.un.org/disabilities