Possible Ratification of UN Convention on the Rights of People with a Disability

The Australian Government has commenced a process to enable it to make an informed decision on whether or not to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

There are important protections offered by the Convention. The Convention underpins the rights of people with a disability to receive appropriate support mechanisms and services of sufficient quality and quantity, to live and participate in the community.

The Convention explicitly asserts the right for people with a disability to be free from exploitation, violence and abuse. (Article 16)

This obliges Australian governments to " take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, educational and other measures to protect persons with disabilities, both within and outside the home, from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including their gender-based aspects."

The Convention is consistent with HSU Policy on supporting the rights of people with a disability to receive the support they individually require to live and participate in the community, free from discrimination, exploitation and abuse.

If you are interested in participating in this consultation, please provide your views to the HSU,by 14 March 2008, or directly to DisabilityConvention@ag.gov.au or:

Disability Discrimination Section
Human Rights Branch
Attorney-General's Department
Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit
Barton ACT 2600

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