UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: UNCRPD · Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international treaty adopted in 2006. India ratified it, meaning India formally agreed to be bound by it, in October 2007. The Convention moved disability from charity to rights. Persons with disabilities are seen as holders of rights, not as people who need pity. The barriers that society creates are what must be removed.

Example

To meet its duties under the Convention, India replaced the 1995 disability law with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. The new Act raised the number of recognised disabilities from 7 to 21 and raised job reservation from 3% to 4%. It also added accessibility duties, special courts, and Chief and State Commissioners.

Don't confuse with

  • Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016: this is India's own domestic law, which courts enforce directly. The UNCRPD is an international treaty that India must implement through such laws.

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