Convention On Rights Of Persons With Disabilities

-MFA: "TURKEY HAS TAKEN ITS PLACE AMONG THE FIRST COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SIGNED THE CONVENTION"

ANKARA - "Turkey has taken its place among the first countries that have signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Monday.
Releasing a written statement, the ministry said, "the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" on which the negotiations process had been initiated in 2002, was adopted at the UN General Assembly on December 13th, 2006 with acclamation. The Convention has been opened for signature at the United Nations on March 30th, 2007."
"Turkish Permanent Representative to the United Nations Baki Ilkin has signed the Convention on behalf of Turkey, and Turkey has taken its place among the first countries that have signed the Convention," it said.
"During the negotiations on the Convention, Turkey has advocated ensuring full and equal exercise of rights by disabled persons, eliminating discrimination towards persons with disabilities and providing them equal participation opportunities in all walks of life," it noted.
The ministry added, "accordingly Turkey has also supported speedy finalization of the negotiations on the Convention. The Convention sets out the rights of disabled persons and obligations of the states parties under the following sections: General principles, general obligations, prohibition of discrimination, accessibility, education, health, work and employment, participation in political and public life. The Convention also envisages the establishment of the 'Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' to monitor the implementation of the Convention."
The Convention will enter into force upon its ratification by 20 member states.