UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Entering into force on 3 May 2008, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first comprehensive human rights treaty to be ratified by the EU as a whole.

The Convention sets out minimum standards for protecting and safeguarding a full range of civil, political, social, and economic rights for people with disabilities. It reflects the EU's broader commitment to building a barrier-free Europe for the estimated 80 million people with disabilities in the EU by 2020, as set out in the European Commission's disability strategy which focuses on empowering people with disabilities to enjoy their rights on an equal basis with others and on removing obstacles in everyday life.

The Convention commits parties to making sure that people with disabilities fully can enjoy their rights on an equal basis with all other citizens. For the EU, this means ensuring that all legislation, policies and programmes at EU level comply with the Convention's provisions on disability rights, within the limits of EU responsibilities. Ratifying countries, such as the EU Member States, should take action in the following areas: access to education, employment, transport, infrastructures and buildings open to the public, granting the right to vote, improving political participation and ensuring full legal capacity of all people with disabilities.

Parties that have ratified the Convention will need to periodically inform the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities about the measures taken to implement the Convention. The Committee, composed of independent experts, will highlight any shortcomings in the Convention’s implementation and make recommendations.