Human Rights Commission
Media Release
30 March 2007

Signing of Disability Convention a Human Rights Milestone

Disabled people’s human rights have reached another milestone with the signing of a UN convention which will change the way their rights are recognised and respected.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will tomorrow open for signing and ratification by all UN member states at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Commissioner Robyn Hunt said today that while the situation in New Zealand is not perfect for disabled people, progress is continuing towards achieving the provisions of the convention.

The repeal of the Disabled Persons’ Employment Promotion Act last week, which phases out minimum wage exemptions in sheltered workshops, is a further step towards decent work and fair pay for all disabled people, she said.

The Commission first identified the legislation as being inconsistent with the Human Rights Act in the Consistency 2000 review of legislation.

“Disabled people should have the same employment rights and protections as other New Zealanders and receive equal treatment from employers as a basic human right.”

Ms Hunt said that access to and participation in employment and education are particularly crucial for the achievement of real equality.

The New Zealand government and its delegation provided leadership throughout the drafting of the convention and New Zealand Ambassador Don MacKay was widely praised for his role in chairing the ad-hoc committee.

Disability organisations and disabled people also provided support for the development of the convention and made a major contribution to negotiations in New York.

The convention will make disability issues more visible within human rights and clarify countries’ obligations and requirements.

When countries ratify the convention they will have to enact laws and other measures to improve disability rights. They will be obliged to combat negative stereotypes and prejudices and to promote an awareness of people’s abilities and contribution to society.

Other measures under the convention include guaranteeing that disabled people have a right to life on an equal basis with others and that access to public spaces, buildings, transport, information and communications is improved.

The convention was finalised in August 2006 and adopted in December 2006 and is the first human rights treaty of the 21st century.

Once New Zealand ratifies the convention the Commission will monitor its compliance.

ENDS

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