Jun 17, 2008

UNPA: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities



UNPA: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On 6 June 2008, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) will issue six commemorative stamps in the denominations of US$ 0.42, US$ 0.94, CHF 1,00, CHF 1,80, ˆ 0,55 and ˆ 1,40 on the theme "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".

The Convention was adopted on 13 December 2006 during the sixty-first session of the General Assembly, by resolution 61/106. In accordance with its article 42, the Convention was opened for signature by all States and by regional integration organizations at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 30 March 2007.

The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to exercise their rights effectively and areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.

There are eight guiding principles that underlie the Convention and each one of its specific articles:
  1. Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons
  2. Non-discrimination
  3. Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
  4. Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
  5. Equality of opportunity
  6. Accessibility
  7. Equality between men and women
  8. Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities

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