The process of elaboration of the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities Previous module Next module

After much debate, the necessity of a legal instrument specific to persons with disabilities was finally acknowledged in December 2001 by a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations which created an ad hoc committee responsible for drafting a convention.
The drafting process of this text required 5 years of work and negotiations during which civil society took an active part. The final text was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2006.

This paper provides information on:

The REASONS for which the drafting of a legally binding text specific to persons with disabilities was necessary.
Presentation of the initial resolution calling to draft a comprehensive and integral convention based on the holistic approach in the work done in the fields of SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, human rights and non-discrimination.
The DRAFTING PROCESS of the Convention until its adoption by the UN General Assembly in December 2006.
The crucial role played by CIVIL SOCIETY in the drafting process.

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Relevant documents

Initial resolution of the General Assembly of December 19, 2001 calling to a comprehensive and integral convention

Summaries of the ad hoc committee sessions - International service for human rights

First session
Second session
Third session
Fourth session
Fifth session
Sixth session
Seventh session
Eighth session

Inclusive Development and the Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities - International disability and development consortium

Background papers by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Definition of disability in selected national legislation
Existing monitoring mechanisms, possible relevant improvements and possible innovations in monitoring mechanisms
The concept of 'special' measures
Accessibility to Information and Communication
National Institutional Frameworks and Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Monitoring implementation of the international human rights instruments: an overview of the current treaty body system
The way in which the terms 'recognition everywhere as a person before the law' and 'legal capacity' are used
The Concept of Reasonable Accommodation

Link : Ad hoc committee documents http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/adhoccom.htm

Final resolution of the General Assembly of December 13, 2006 adopting the Convention