The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 13. The convention, which covers rights to education, health, work, cultural activities, etc., is the first human-rights treaty of the 21st century.
The Japanese delegation told the assembly that Japan will do its utmost to ratify the convention. The government should live up to its commitment; both the government and the public should become more conscious of the rights of disabled people, change their attitudes and implement necessary measures in addition to the measure already taken.
A proposal made by Mexico in the 2001 General Assembly prompted the writing of the convention. Nongovernmental organizations and civil-society groups played an important role in getting 192 member states to reach final agreement. The 50-article convention will enter force after it is ratified by 20 countries. The nations that ratify it should enact laws and take other measures to improve the rights of disabled people and abolish legislation, customs and practices that discriminate against them.