Introduction
Persons with disabilities are still often 'invisible' in society, either segregated or simply ignored as passive objects of charity. They are denied their rights to be included in the general school system, to be employed, to live independently in the community, to move freely, to vote, to participate in sport and cultural activities, to enjoy social protection, to live in an accessible built and technological environment, to access justice, to enjoy freedom to choose medical treatments and to enter freely into legal commitments such as buying and selling property.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets out international human rights standards for all persons with disabilities in the world. It views persons with disabilities as having legal rights and protects them from discrimination. It requires States, the private sector and others to take on the responsibility of respecting, protecting and fulfilling those rights. It promotes international cooperation towards development and humanitarian assistance. It requires national and international independent monitoring. The Optional Protocol to the Convention provides a means for individuals to complain when their rights are not respected.
See the status of ratification of the Convention and its Optional Protocol
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the Convention by the States Parties.
All States Parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. The Optional Protocol to the Convention gives the Committee competence to examine individual complaints with regard to alleged violations of the Convention by States Parties to the Protocol.
Publications