EHRC seeks assurance from UK Government it will fully implement UN convention as new guide is published
A new guide to the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (UNCRDP) has been published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It is also available in Easy Read and Video with British Sign Language. As it publishes the guide, the Equality and Human Rights Commission is seeking assurance from Government that the treaty will be fully implemented.
The Commission's guide will help disabled people to know what their rights are and how to use them. It will help people to challenge injustices and improve services for themselves and others and will help organisations understand what their responsibilities are.
The Convention, which was signed by the UK Government last year, sets out disabled peoples basic rights in one place. It covers health, education, employment, access to justice, personal security, independent living and access to information. The UN convention also describes what the Government has agreed to do to make these rights real. It has until next July to report back to the UN on its progress on this agreement. The Commission’s guide also sets out how organisations can report to the UN.
Mike Smith, Chair of the Commission's Disability Committee, said: "The UK signed up to this treaty just over a year ago and we will continue to work with the government to make sure that it is implemented fully. The Convention is not just a paper 'declaration' without any teeth. It requires government to take action to remove barriers and give disabled people real freedom, dignity and equality. We can use it in lots of different ways to make sure our rights are respected and to get a better deal.
"Our role is to ensure Britain makes rapid progress towards making the Convention rights a reality for disabled people. You and your organisation can get involved in telling people about these rights. The more people who know what the Convention says, the more likely it is that disabled people will be treated fairly."
Copies of the Commission's guide are available to download from its website at. Printed copies of the guide can also be ordered via the Commission's helpline, either by telephone or textphone: Wales Telephone: 08456 048 810, Textphone: 08456 048 820.
