Canada drops the ball on disabilities: Greens
NEW GLASGOW – The Green Party is chiding the Harper government for its stance on persons with disabilities. Today, Ecuador became the twentieth country to ratify the landmark Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which will enter into force on May 3rd. The Convention required twenty ratifications before taking effect.
“It is astounding and deeply disturbing that the Harper government is failing to help protect the rights of the estimated 650 million persons worldwide with disabilities,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “Canada reluctantly signed the Convention but has not ratified this historic agreement. Once again, the Harper government is shirking Canada’s traditional leadership role in the global community.”
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the entry into force of the first international treaty on the human rights of persons with disabilities as an historic moment in the realization of universal human rights for all persons.
Of the estimated 650 million persons with disabilities worldwide, approximately 80 percent live in developing countries. The Convention, together with its Optional Protocol, is deeply rooted in the firm commitment of the international community to rectifying the neglect and dehumanizing practices that violate the human rights of persons with disabilities.
“The Green Party was the first federal party to recommend a Canada Disabilities Act some years ago,” said Joe Foster, Green Party Human Rights critic. “Despite promises to bring in this legislation, the Conservatives have not followed through. Such an Act would be a powerful tool to eradicate the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities, including discrimination, segregation from society, economic marginalization and lack of opportunities for participation in social, political and economic decision-making processes.”
“Canada should follow the lead of other countries by immediately ratifying this Convention, which would allow us the honour of sitting with other global leaders at a special ceremony in the General Assembly Hall in New York next month to mark the Convention’s entry into force.”
