UN Human Rights Treaties

United Nations

A/AC.265/2006/1

General Assembly
Distr.: General
14 October 2005

Original: English

Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and
Integral International Convention on the
Protection and Promotion of the Rights and
Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
Seventh session
New York, 16-27 January 2006

Letter dated 7 October 2005 from the Chairman to all
members of the Committee

1. You will recall that I indicated, at the end of the meeting of the Ad Hoc
Committee in August 2005, that I would prepare a text reflecting the work of the
Committee to date in streamlining the draft Convention, and making suggestions as
to how some of the differences of view might be bridged. That text has now been
completed and I am submitting it to you (see annex I).

2. Let me say at the outset that I have not attempted a wholesale rewriting of the
draft Convention. We have made extremely good progress towards coming up with
generally agreed language in many areas, as reflected in the annexes to our meeting
reports, and in those instances my approach generally has been not to tamper with
that language. I have not tried to reinvent the wheel. Otherwise we will be starting
all over again, and not building on the considerable progress we have made. After
all, the text that we have to end up with is one that the Committee considers best,
not what the Chair considers best, and that has been my fundamental guiding
principle.

3. My approach has been to work through detailed notes of the discussion, which
I have compared with the Working Group text and the texts that we came up with in
the annexes to our reports, particularly where various alternatives have been
proposed, to see how and if particular differences can be bridged. You will recall
that there were also many instances where we deferred issues with the intention that
they be taken up elsewhere, and I have carefully tried to ensure that nothing has
been lost. The other challenge has been to reduce the amount of duplication and
detail, although I have been generally cautious in reducing detail where we appear
to have generally accepted text that is detailed.

4. In the course of this work I have also referred to and drawn on the work of the
facilitators, to whom I should once again like to express my appreciation. As you
know, although the facilitators’ texts are at diverse stages of refinement

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have not yet been reported back and discussed in detail by the full Committee in
meetings or still leave many issues outstanding — so I have been cautious in
drawing on those facilitators’ texts where there has been only a preliminary
discussion of them. I have also kept in mind that in some instances it was quite
specific issues that were referred to the facilitators’ groups for further work. It goes
without saying that facilitators’ texts or revised facilitators’ texts that can command
a greater level of support than our other texts, can contribute significantly to
advancing our work.

5. Finally, by way of general comment, let me say that the Chair’s text is a goodfaith
attempt to come up with a text that can bring us closer to general agreement. I
hope that it will therefore be the basis for the next stage of our work, when we move
to negotiations in January.

6. Colleagues therefore need to come to the meeting in January 2006 prepared to
negotiate on the basis of this text. In this respect, let me repeat the mantra that “the
perfect is the enemy of the good”. I would urge colleagues not to come to the
January meeting with wholesale proposals for new language. We need to move past
that stage. Please consider the Chair’s text on the basis of what you can accept, not
what you would prefer. Or, as some colleagues put it during our last meeting, “what
you can live with, not what you love”. Only by taking this approach will we be able
quickly to conclude our work.

7. Accordingly, at the January meeting, I will be asking colleagues whether there
is anything in the attached text that they absolutely cannot accept. Any suggestions
for improvement or change that do not quickly draw a consensus will have to be
forgone, or we will find ourselves engaged in a protracted process that has no end.

8. I would also remind colleagues that drafting issues can be taken up in the
drafting committee that we will need to establish at the final stages of our process.
Accordingly, we should not now be taking up time with purely drafting issues.

9. You will recall that at the end of our last meeting we had a discussion of the
structure of the draft Convention. As we are now moving to a new stage of our
work, I have therefore restructured it reflecting that discussion as best I can. I have
also separated the draft Convention into four parts, consistent with the approach in
other conventions. I have not separated civil and political rights from economic,
social and cultural rights, as there were strong views that this should not be done.
For ease of reference I have attached two charts comparing the old and new
structures (annex II).

10. For the first time in our draft Convention, I have included draft final clauses.
These are drawn primarily from the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. As
these are purely technical provisions, they should not create difficulty.

11. I hope that the following commentary will assist colleagues in identifying
some of the changes and suggestions I am making regarding specific articles, and
the reasons behind them. References are made to the reports on the fourth, fifth and
sixth sessions, respectively, of the Ad Hoc Committee (A/59/360, A/AC.265/2005/2
and A/60/266) and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic,

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Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Preamble
12. Although there has not been a very detailed discussion of the preamble, I have
made some changes on the basis of the discussion so far. They relate to preambular
paragraphs (e), (h), (i) and (o). I should note that I have not expanded the list in
preambular paragraph (m) as had been suggested by some, because the current list is
identical to other treaties, and colleagues may therefore wish to retain it on that
basis. The numbering of the preambular paragraphs ((a), (b), (c), etc.) has been
retained for the moment for ease of reference, but this will be removed in the final
Convention. As you know, it is the usual practice to finalize the preamble last. I do
not expect that the preamble will prove controversial.

Article 1. Purpose

13. Article 1 has been revised in the light of the discussion. We will later need to
consider, however, whether we need this article at all. That depends on what we do
with the title of the draft Convention, because the existing title actually contains the
purpose of the draft Convention, i.e., the “protection and promotion of the rights and
dignity of persons with disabilities”. Article 1 may therefore be repetitive at least,
and at worst potentially confusing if it sets out a “purpose” that is different from
that contained in the title. I would also note that it is not the practice in other treaties
to have a “purpose” provision, although some have a “scope” provision.

Article 2. Definitions

14. I have slightly reordered the language in the definition of “Communication” so
as to make it consistent with the order we agreed in article 13 (which is now article
21).

15. I have moved several definitions from the body of the Convention into this
article (see “Discrimination on the basis of disability” and “Reasonable
accommodation”). Those definitions have had detailed discussion in the context of
the relevant articles.

16. We have not discussed a definition for “Accessibility”, and I suggest that we
do not need one. We have a separate article on this.

17. Views are divided as to whether it is necessary to define “Disability” and
“Persons with disabilities”. I tend to think that we don’t, as this will be very
difficult, and there is a risk that we will unintentionally exclude someone.

18. I should note that we had not been consistent throughout the draft Convention
in how we referred to persons with disabilities. In some instances we had referred to
“all” persons with disabilities, in others not. I have deleted the word “all” from
those provisions where it was found, which is consistent with the approach in other
conventions.

19. The definition of “Discrimination on the basis of disability” did not include
the words “on the basis of disability”, so I have included that key element. I would
also note that we had not been consistent in our usage of this term throughout the
draft Convention; in some places we had used “on the basis of disability”, in other

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places we had used “on account of disability”, for example. I have made the text
consistent, so that it uses “on the basis of disability”.

20. I have suggested a definition for “Universal design” and “Inclusive design”,
which I think would be useful as these are not commonly understood concepts. The
definition I have suggested is taken from the website of the North Carolina State
University Center for Universal Design.

21. I have also suggested the inclusion of a definition of “National laws of general
application” and, similarly, “national laws and procedures of general application”
and “national laws, customs, and traditions of national application”. The
background and explanation for this is given under article 23 (below).

Article 3. General principles

22. Article 3 has been revised, with a slightly reworded subparagraph (c), and two
additional subparagraphs (f) and (g), which received a good level of support.

Article 4. General obligations

23. A recurring issue that came up in the discussion of many articles was the
inclusion of language relating to the progressive realization of economic, social and
cultural rights. While the principle was accepted, it is repetitive and often difficult
to include such language in individual articles, since many of them contain a hybrid
of civil and political, and economic, social and cultural rights, including nondiscrimination.
I think there was general agreement to include a generic provision in
article 4 to cover this matter, and this is included as paragraph 2. I have drawn on
the language from the facilitator’s group and article 4 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, which takes a similar approach, and have also made it clear that
non-discrimination is not for progressive implementation. You will recall that the
latter point is a very important one for some delegations, and when I specifically put
it to the meeting no one disagreed with it (see also A/59/360, annex II, para. 7).

24. By including this generic provision in article 4 there should be no need to
repeat the matter of progressive implementation in any of the subsequent articles,
which would be both messy and complex for the reasons noted above.

25. There were some questions raised in the facilitator’s group about including the
phrase “within their jurisdiction” in the chapeau to article 4 (1). As it causes
difficulties for some, I suggest we delete it, as clearly States parties cannot take
action where they have no jurisdiction.

26. I have consolidated into paragraphs 1 (f) and (g), the elements contained in old
draft articles 13 (d), 19 (2) (e), 20 (c) and 21 (f) (see ibid., para. 9).

27. I have consolidated into paragraph 3, the elements contained in old draft
articles 5 (2) (d), 6 (c), 18 (c), 19 (2) (g) and 21 (m) (see ibid., para. 10).

28. In both instances I have endeavoured to ensure that no elements have been
lost.

29. You will recall that we had a brief discussion on the need for a provision
stipulating non-derogation from existing rights, and there was a suggestion that it
might be incorporated in article 4. I have accordingly incorporated such a provision,
which is drawn from article 41 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and

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article 23 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, into paragraph 4.

30. The draft article is otherwise essentially unchanged from the Working Group
text. You may recall that there was some discussion in the facilitator’s group about
the possibility of restructuring this article, but that proved quite complex and did not
progress. As we should now be focusing on substance, I believe that the Working
Group structure for this article should be generally acceptable, and my notes of the
meeting support that.

31. I hope, therefore, that we can rapidly conclude this article.

Article 5. Equality and non-discrimination

32. Article 5 was considerably refined in the facilitator’s group and in the main
meeting. The text is now well developed.

33. As noted above, I have moved the definitions of “discrimination on the basis
of disability” (A/59/360, annex V, paras. 22 and 23) and “reasonable
accommodation” (ibid., para. 27) from this article to article 2 on definitions.

34. As regards paragraph 2 (a) of the Working Group text, some delegations
proposed including denial of reasonable accommodation within the definition of
“discrimination”, on the basis of International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights general comment No. 5. This would lead to a problem if
“discrimination” is excluded from the scope of progressive realization in article
4 (2), because in practice many States are unlikely to be able to provide reasonable
accommodation immediately. I would also note that including denial of reasonable
accommodation within the definition of “discrimination” was opposed by some
delegations for other reasons, including because it would lead to uncertainty and
lack of clarity.

35. There were proposals to expand the listing in paragraph 2 (b) of the Working
Group text, but these were opposed by some delegations as too detailed.

36. As regards paragraph 3 of the Working Group text (which does not appear in
any other core human rights treaty and on which a consensus is clearly not
possible), I suggest that the existence of the Human Rights Committee’s general
comment relating to article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights should in itself go some distance to meeting the concerns of those
delegations supporting this Working Group paragraph.

37. To avoid the “special”/”positive” measures dilemma, I suggest we delete the
adjective as was supported by many delegations. This is not an issue of substance. I
have suggested an abbreviated formula for this paragraph as a whole. By including
only measures that are necessary to accelerate or achieve de facto equality, I hope
we can meet the concerns of various delegations regarding this paragraph.

38. I expect, therefore, that this article should be concluded quickly.

Article 6. Women with disabilities

39. You will recall that discussion was continuing under the auspices of the
facilitator as to the need for a separate article dealing with women with disabilities,
or whether this could be covered in other parts of the draft Convention. As this

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fundamental issue has not been resolved, article 6 appears in square brackets
without text.

40. There was clearly agreement that disabled women are at a particular
disadvantage and vulnerability and that their situation needs to be appropriately
covered by the draft Convention. The divergence among States on this issue is
mainly with respect to placement rather than substance.

41. I would urge delegations to come to the next session of the Ad Hoc Committee
with flexible instructions that would enable them to reach agreement on this,
whatever the outcome, so that they are able to join in whatever consensus appears to
be emerging. This will then enable further discussion to take place, and for us to
agree at the next meeting on the appropriate way of dealing with this and also on
appropriate language. We cannot afford to be held up by such differences of
approach.

Article 7. Children with disabilities

42. Here we face a similar issue, i.e., whether there should be a separate article on
children with disabilities, or whether the particular disadvantages and vulnerabilities
of children with disabilities should be dealt with in a separate article or alternative
approaches. The Working Group text for this article is based on article 23 of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. There has been an argument that the
inclusion of a specific article in that Convention on the rights of children with
disabilities has to some extent been counterproductive, because States parties have
normally reported on compliance article by article; i.e., due to the specific article of
the Convention on children with disabilities there has been a tendency not to
mainstream disability throughout the Convention. At the same time, it is clear that
inclusion of article 23 has been influential and useful in highlighting and identifying
issues faced by disabled children.

43. That said, the wording for article 7 as found in the Working Group text did not
receive a great deal of support, and it is clear that many delegations have problems
with it. It did not receive general agreement as a good basis for our future work. I
have therefore treated this article the same way as article 6, and left it blank (see
also A/60/266, annex II, para. 27).

44. My general comments relating to article 6 apply equally in respect of article 7.
I would urge colleagues to come to the next session with flexible instructions that
would enable them to accept either a separate article on children with disabilities or
the alternative approaches, so that they can join in an emerging consensus. We
cannot afford to be held up on this important issue because of disagreement as to the
modalities for handling it.

Article 8. Raising awareness regarding disability

45. The text of article 8 has been redrafted to reflect the outcomes of the
discussion in the Committee meetings and in the facilitator’s group. I have however
deleted the phrase “and in a manner consistent with the overall purpose of the
Convention” from the end of paragraph 1 (c) (see A/59/360, annex III, para. 14), as
it has no clear meaning in this context. As noted above, the previous paragraph 2 (d)
has been moved to article 4 (3).

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46. There was concern that paragraph 2 of the Working Group text was overly
prescriptive, and many delegations proposed the merging of paragraph 2 into
paragraph 1. Others however were concerned that substance might be lost, as they
deal with different concepts. I would therefore suggest that a compromise might be
to use a slightly softened chapeau to this paragraph.

47. I therefore hope that draft article 8 can also be rapidly concluded.

Article 9. Accessibility

48. In paragraph 2 (d), I suggest we can use “ensure”, as the chapeau contains the
qualification of “appropriate measures”.

49. I have inserted some additional subparagraphs into paragraph 2, reflecting the
discussion at the fifth session (see A/AC.265/2005/2, annex II, para. 89).
Subparagraphs (f) and (g) are taken from the facilitator’s text on article 13 (now 21),
the relevant provisions of which it was agreed to take up under article 19 (now 9).
Similarly, the new subparagraph (h) is taken from article 13 (e) of the Working
Group text (ibid., para. 82). I would note that article 13 (j) of the facilitator’s text is
now included in article 4 (1) (f) (ii).

Article 10. Right to life

50. I suggest that the language previously proposed at the fifth session (ibid.,
para. 11), best reflects the discussion of this article. I hope that we can quickly reach
agreement on it.

Article 11. Situations of risk

51. You will recall the discussion relating to the need for the protection of persons
with disabilities in situations of risk to the general population. I hope that the
language that I proposed at the fifth session (ibid., para. 12) drawing on article
38 (4) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is replicated in the new
text, can quite quickly provide a basis for consensus.
Article 12. Equal recognition as a person before the law

52. The main issue here was the legal capacity of all persons with disabilities. This
particular issue clearly requires further consideration by delegations, and I have left
square brackets reflecting this.

53. I would ask all delegations to come to the next session prepared to resolve this
issue. We need to take into account the different legal systems, but I hope that
delegations can be as flexible as possible, bearing in mind that guardianship or
substitute decision-making for persons with disabilities has led to many injustices in
the past. I hope it will be possible to resolve this matter by distinguishing between
(a) the possession of legal capacity by all persons, and (b) the exercise of that
capacity, which may require the provision of assistance in some circumstances. I
note that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women in article 15 (2), for example, uses the term “legal capacity” and in the same
paragraph refers to “exercising” that capacity; it does not refer to “capacity to act”. I
therefore suggest that we stick to the term “legal capacity” as used in that
Convention, which would mean deleting the language in the last set of square
brackets in the chapeau to paragraph 2.

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54. As regards paragraph 2 (b), you will recall that there was no agreement on the
necessity for specific language on this in the light of the provisions of paragraph
2 (a) on assisted decision-making (ibid., para. 22). Paragraph 2 (a) clearly envisages
a wide spectrum of “assistance” depending on the circumstances of each case, which
in the view of some delegations may make paragraph 2 (b) redundant. I would
therefore ask colleagues to consider whether paragraph 2 (b) might not be deleted,
and in the meantime I have placed square brackets around it, reflecting
disagreement over the necessity for it.
Article 13. Access to justice

55. I have included this as a separate article dealing with access to justice, as was
supported by a number of delegations. As it is quite a brief article, however, you
may wish to consider whether its elements might not better be left in article 12.

56. You will recall that at the fifth session (ibid., para. 15), it was agreed that the
issues in old article 9 (d), (e) and (f) of the Working Group text were to be
addressed in other articles of the draft Convention. I considered including them in
article 13, but they do not really fit here. Accordingly I have combined these
elements and left them in article 12.
Article 14. Liberty and security of the person

57. You will recall that there was extensive discussion around the need for a
qualifier such as “solely” or “exclusively” before the words “on disability”, in
paragraph 1 (b) (ibid., para. 27). Some delegations strongly supported those words,
but many opposed them. I suggest that the third alternative in square brackets (ibid.,
para. 28) should be an acceptable compromise, and think we came close to that
point in our discussions. I have revised the text accordingly, and urge all delegations
to accept this outcome.

58. In the chapeau to paragraph 2, I suggest we remove the square brackets, as
there was considerable support for the bracketed language.

59. In paragraph 2 (b), the word “promptly” is found in other Conventions (see,
for example, articles 9 (2) and 14 (3) (a) of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, and article 40 (2) (b) (ii) of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child), and was widely supported in our discussions, and I suggest that we also
follow that approach here.

60. I also suggest that we remove the square brackets in paragraph 2 (c) (i), as I
don’t think that the bracketed language creates major problems for delegations. I
hope that we can also reflect the provisional agreement on paragraph 2 (c) (ii) by
removing the square brackets around it. I do not believe it should cause major
problems for delegations.

61. You will recall that there was general agreement that there should be a
provision for compensation for persons with disabilities in the event of an unlawful
deprivation of liberty. I suggest that in paragraph 2 (d) we draw on both of the
square bracketed provisions relating to this, and article 9 (5) of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and have included language accordingly.

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Article 15. Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment
62. In paragraph 2, I suggest that we follow the formula used in the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
article 2 (1), which refers to “legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures”
and was supported by a number of delegations. It is not necessary to amplify it
further, and doing so could create interpretive difficulties as against the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
63. As regards the matter of monitoring of facilities and programmes (ibid.,
para. 42), I should note that the Committee subsequently incorporated this into
article 12 (3) (ibid., para. 53).
Article 16. Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse
64. Given the difficulties we experienced in getting agreement as to the various
forms of violence and abuse that should be listed, I suggest that we stick with the
generic phrase “all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse” in paragraph 1.
However, should colleagues insist that some form of listing is required, I suggest we
use the listing in article 19 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
65. Many colleagues gave considerable emphasis to the inclusion of “exploitation”
in this article. I therefore suggest that “exploitation” be included in the title, and that
it be coupled with “violence and abuse” where that phrase appears throughout the
article.
66. In paragraph 2, I suggest that we remove the square brackets and also include
reference to families and caregivers, since the latter part of that paragraph (i.e.,
providing information on how to recognize instances of violence and abuse) would
logically seem to be directed at families or caregivers rather than persons with
disabilities themselves. I would note that there was also considerable support during
our discussion to including a reference to families and caregivers here.
67. In paragraph 3, the major issue was what facilities and programmes should be
covered by it; there was concern that its scope should not be so broad as to cover
banking facilities, for example, and the facilitator’s proposal seems to cover this
well.
68. In paragraph 4, most of the language in square brackets was well supported in
our discussion, although it was questioned whether including “worth” was
appropriate in this particular context, and I suggest it should be deleted.
69. “Protection services” have been removed from the end of paragraph 5, since
they are already covered in paragraph 4.
Article 17. Protecting the integrity of the person
70. In paragraph 1, the qualification of “physical and mental” integrity was not
strongly supported, and it could imply a right of intervention that does not otherwise
apply. I therefore suggest we delete it.
71. Paragraph 4 is in square brackets, as there were quite strong differences of
view as to whether it was necessary to include it.

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Article 18. Liberty of movement
72. You will recall that there was agreement that language on liberty of movement
should be included (see A/60/266, annex II, para. 76). There was no Working Group
text on this. I have therefore included a more abbreviated version of the Kenyan
proposal, which drew some general support from several other delegations but was
not discussed in detail.
Article 19. Living independently and being included in the community
73. In the chapeau, I suggest we use the word “facilitate”, which is then
subsequently balanced by the stronger word “ensuring”, and that we use both
“inclusion” and “participation” since both words were supported by quite a wide
range of delegations.
74. As regards subparagraph (a) there appeared to be no difference of view over
substance — i.e., that persons with disabilities should not be obliged to live in a
particular living arrangement, including institutions — but some delegations were
concerned that saying that persons with disabilities were not obliged to live in an
institution implicitly approved of the use of institutions per se. I therefore suggest
that we not specifically refer to “institutions” here, as this is included in the generic
term “particular living arrangement” anyway.
Article 20. Personal mobility
75. Although there was initially support for merging old articles 19 and 20, this
weakened as the discussion went on and several delegations subsequently supported
the retention of a separate article 20 as it deals with individual mobility rather than
accessibility. While there was clearly agreement that the duplication between the
two articles should be removed, there was concern that elements might be lost in a
merger of the two. I have therefore retained a shorter article 20, which contains
those elements not already in article 19 (now 9). If colleagues do want to combine
both articles that should not be too difficult.
76. I would note that training, which is dealt with in subparagraph (c), comes up in
a great many places throughout the draft Convention (see, for example, articles 8, 9,
24, 25 and 26). I have not attempted a consolidation of the training provisions in
article 4, as some of them are quite specific, but colleagues might want to bear that
possibility in mind.
Article 21. Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information
77. A wide variety of views was expressed regarding the various options in square
brackets in subparagraph (a) (see A/AC.265/2005/2, annex II, paras. 73-75). On the
one hand it was considered desirable to ensure the widest provision of official
material to persons with disabilities in accessible formats; on the other hand there
was recognition that an unreasonable burden should not be placed on Governments.
I have suggested a compromise, which needs to be read carefully in the light of the
chapeau, and also the subsequent subparagraphs.
78. The elements contained in the previous subparagraph (c) now appear to be
adequately covered in article 24.

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79. The former subparagraph (d) has been consolidated with similar provisions
elsewhere and moved to article 4 on general obligations (ibid., para. 81).
80. I have moved the former subparagraph (e) to article 9 (2) (h), as there was
quite a lot of support for doing this (see also ibid., para. 82).
81. In the former subparagraphs (f) and (g), now (c) and (d), there was
considerable support for “urging” as the middle ground between “encouraging” and
“requiring”, and I hope we can quickly agree on this. I have also included reference
to the Internet here, as there was strong support for this. (I have also included the
Internet in article 9 (2) (f), as we are there dealing with technology whereas in
article 21 we are dealing more with content.)
82. There was no agreement on the inclusion of a subparagraph regarding a
national sign language, and I have therefore bracketed that provision.
Article 22. Respect for privacy
83. I have added a new paragraph dealing with privacy of medical information,
which we deleted from article 21 (now 25) on health on the basis that it needed to be
covered here (ibid., para. 84).
Article 23. Respect for the home and the family
84. Article 23 raises a general issue, in this instance relating to personal and
family issues that also comes up elsewhere. We have all agreed on numerous
occasions during the discussions, that the Convention is not intended to pronounce
on, change or attempt to influence the general rules that apply to the population as a
whole in different countries and cultures on sensitive questions such as (for
example) family planning issues (see ibid., paras. 94, 99, 100 and 110; and
A/60/266, annex II, para. 85).
85. What the Convention is intended to do on such issues is simply to ensure that
persons with disabilities are treated no differently from others in the population.
These provisions are essentially just non-discrimination clauses. In other words, on
these issues, people with disabilities should be subject to the same values, rules and
customs that generally apply to the whole population, and not a different set of
standards. That understanding would allow each State party to retain its own distinct
values, traditions and cultures, and continue to determine its national laws and
policies on such issues for itself.
86. There have been various proposals for amendments to achieve this
understanding, such as to make these provisions “subject to national
law/customs/traditions”, etc. The problem with such an open-ended formula,
however, is that if national law/customs/traditions permit persons with disabilities to
be treated differently, then we are potentially legitimizing or recognizing such
differentiation of treatment. We therefore need a different formula. The phrase
“national laws, customs, and traditions of general application” might be one
approach. If we understand the phrase to mean “national laws, customs and
traditions of application to society as a whole and which do not differentiate in
respect of persons with disabilities” then the ability for States parties to continue to
determine their own standards is retained, and the purely non-discrimination
approach of the provision is made clear.

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87. When this issue has been raised during the discussions there has been no
objection to the concept. I would invite delegations, therefore, to consider this
phrase that, as you will have seen, I have defined in article 2 to ensure that the point
is adequately covered.
88. I would also note that in some instances the point can be captured by using the
phrase “on an equal basis with others” as we have in the chapeau of paragraph 1 of
this article. You will recall that this was the intention behind adding this phrase to
the chapeau, although there is now another proposal in square brackets to repeat the
point in a different way in paragraph 1 (a) and (c).
89. In paragraph 2, I suggest that we use the same formula used in article 16 (1) (f)
of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women.
90. In paragraph 3, as suggested earlier we should be using the same phrase
consistently throughout the Convention, and therefore should say here “on the basis
of disability”.
91. There was discussion regarding the best placement of paragraph 4 (see
A/AC.265/2005/2, annex II, para. 122), and I have included it in article 8 (2), which
deals with combating negative perceptions and stereotypes.
Article 24. Education
92. The report on article 24 in A/60/266 has a detailed account of the discussion in
the Committee meeting, and also the text discussed. The text for article 17 (now 24)
was subsequently much further developed in several meetings that the facilitator
was able to convene on this article. Although there was not time for this to be
reported back in detail and discussed in the Committee meeting, my sense is that the
text from the facilitator’s group is regarded by many delegations as a considerable
improvement. As the main changes are structural rather than substantive, I have
therefore adopted this text as the basis for article 24.
93. You will note that the promotion of the linguistic identity of the deaf
community (para. 3 (b)) is already covered in article 30 (4). I have left both in for
the time being, although colleagues might like to reflect on the most appropriate
place for this reference.
94. Employing teachers with disabilities has come up on several occasions, not
least by way of role models, and I have included this in paragraph 4.
Article 25. Health
95. You will recall that there was general agreement that article 21 (now 25)
should be split into two, dealing separately with the right to health in article 21 and
habilitation and rehabilitation in article 21 bis (now 26) (A/60/266, annex II,
para. 77). I have therefore drawn on the facilitator’s text for this article and for
article 26, as the facilitator’s group was able to refine this over several meetings.
96. I suggest that in the chapeau we use the word “recognize” since this is found
in other conventions such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights (article 12 (1)) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(article 24 (1)). It is not necessary to reaffirm that States parties shall ensure that no
person with a disability is deprived of that right — we have not done that with

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regard to other rights elsewhere in the text. As regards the issue of “free” or
“affordable” health services, I note that general comment No. 14 on article 12 of the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights refers to
“affordability” of health services, and suggest we use that word. In some individual
cases, of course, for health services to be affordable they would actually need to be
free. I note that the issue of affordability and cost also arises in some other articles
(see, for example, article 28 (2) (a)). In subparagraph (c), it should not be necessary
to use “endeavour to”, as this obligation is already qualified by the phrase “as close
as possible”.
97. Health and life insurance has been moved from article 28 into subparagraph
(e), and I have attempted a formula that I hope will bridge the difference of views
over this.
Article 26. Habilitation and rehabilitation
98. As we have no Working Group text for an article specifically on habilitation
and rehabilitation, I have drawn on the facilitator’s text, relevant elements from the
Working Group text on health and the proposal of the European Union which
received support, so as to ensure that no key elements are lost. Although this text is
new, I hope that it will not need extensive discussion, as the key elements are
included.
Article 27. Work and employment
99. Although the Committee considered that subparagraph (g) could either be
merged with subparagraph (c) or deleted and covered under article 21 bis (now 26)
(A/60/266, annex II, para. 106), it does not seem to fit very well in either article.
Accordingly I have left it in this article (now subparagraph (h)). The first part of
subparagraph (j) of the Working Group text has been moved to article 8, as
paragraph 2 (a) (iii) (ibid., para. 109).
Article 28. Adequate standard of living and social protection
100. I suggest that we use the term “social protection”, which is very broad, as
defined in the report of the Secretary-General to the Commission for Social
Development at its thirty-ninth session (E/CN.5/2001/2). “Social protection” is also
the term used in articles 23 (3) and 25 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Delegations appeared to be supporting the broadest term in this respect
(A/60/266, annex II, para. 112). I hope we can resolve the issue relating to access to
clean water in the manner proposed in the text, as this has become a distraction from
other issues. I would draw colleagues’ attention to article 14 (2) (h) of the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and
article 24 (2) (c) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
101. As noted above, I have included a provision on health and life insurance in
article 25 (see ibid., para. 128), but have rephrased it so that it rules out
discrimination in the provision of health and life insurance, but would not rule out
actuarial considerations relating to particular disabilities which was a concern of
some delegations (see comment under article 25).

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Article 29. Participation in political and public life
102. In subparagraph (a) (ii), I have deleted the reference to “in accordance with
law”, since this is superfluous.
103. The chapeau to subparagraph (b) has been redrafted (and, I hope, clarified). I
would note that equality between men and women has now been included as a
general principle in article 3.
104. Subparagraph (c) of the Working Group text has been consolidated along with
other similar provisions into article 4 (3).
Article 30. Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
105. In paragraph 3, I suggest we retain the reference to “intellectual property
rights” which is broader — the qualifications later in the provision (“do not
constitute an unreasonable or discriminatory barrier”) circumscribe its application,
as does making it subject to international law. In paragraph 5 (c) and (d) there was
duplication in respect of sporting activities, and I have removed them from the
former.
Article 31. Statistics and data collection
106. I have included the streamlined text from A/59/360, annex IV, paragraph 18,
together with some language taking up the concept of compliance with ethical
principles of statistics.
107. Drawing on discussion in the facilitator’s group, I have also added a new
paragraph 2 dealing with the usage of this information.
108. This draft article should be rapidly concluded.
Article 32. International cooperation
109. There is a large group of countries in favour of a separate article on
international cooperation. A particular concern of those countries with reservations
about a separate article is that international cooperation (or the lack thereof) might
be used as an excuse by States for not implementing the Convention. We could
overcome this by including language along the lines of “The provisions relating to
international cooperation do not in any way derogate from the obligations of States
to fulfil their obligations under the present Convention”.
110. You will recall that at the end of our August meeting, Mexico reported back on
some very useful discussions it had held, including “Principles and elements for a
provision on international cooperation”. This seemed to be well received, and I do
hope that it will provide a basis for rapid progress on this article.
Articles 33 and 34. National implementation and monitoring and
international monitoring
111. There was general agreement that we should include national monitoring and
international monitoring in the text, and this will need to be discussed further at our
meeting in January. I would ask colleagues to come to the January meeting with
flexible instructions, as we will need to discuss specific text. As you know, a
number of proposals have been made, some of them quite comprehensive.

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112. I look forward to meeting with colleagues, and making considerable progress,
at our next meeting in January. I expect the dates and duration of that meeting to be
decided shortly by the Third Committee.
(Signed) Don MacKay
Chairman
Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral
International Convention on the Protection and Promotion
of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities

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Annex I
Draft Comprehensive and Integral International
Convention on the Protection and Promotion of
the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
Submitted by the Chairman on the basis of discussion by
the Ad Hoc Committee
The States Parties to the present Convention,
(a) Recalling the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations
which recognize the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all
members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the
world,
(b) Recognizing that the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, has proclaimed
and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein,
without distinction of any kind,
(c) Reaffirming the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with disabilities to
be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination,
(d) Reaffirming also the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and
the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers
and Members of Their Families,
(e) Recognizing the importance of the principles and policy guidelines
contained in the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons
with Disabilities in influencing the promotion, formulation and evaluation of the
policies, plans, programmes and actions at the national, regional and international
levels to further equalize opportunities for persons with disabilities,
(f) Recognizing also that discrimination against any person on the basis of
disability is a violation of the inherent dignity of the human person,
(g) Recognizing further the diversity of persons with disabilities,
(h) Concerned that, despite these various instruments and undertakings,
persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in their participation as equal
members of society and violations of their human rights in all parts of the world,
(i) Recognizing the importance of international cooperation for improving
the living conditions of persons with disabilities in every country, particularly in
developing countries,
(j) Emphasizing the existing and potential contributions made by persons
with disabilities to the overall well-being and diversity of their communities, and

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that the promotion of the full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of their human
rights and fundamental freedoms and of full participation by persons with
disabilities will result in significant advances in the human, social and economic
development of their societies and the eradication of poverty,
(k) Recognizing the importance for persons with disabilities of their
individual autonomy and independence, including the freedom to make their own
choices,
(l) Considering that persons with disabilities should have the opportunity to
be actively involved in decision-making processes about policies and programmes,
especially those directly concerning them,
(m) Concerned about the difficult conditions faced by persons with
disabilities who are subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination on the
basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status,
(n) Emphasizing the need to incorporate a gender perspective in all efforts to
promote the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons
with disabilities,
(o) Recognizing that a disproportionately large number of persons with
disabilities live in conditions of poverty, and mindful of the need to alleviate the
negative impact of poverty on persons with disabilities,
(p) Concerned that situations of armed conflict have especially devastating
consequences for the human rights of persons with disabilities,
(q) Recognizing the importance of accessibility to the physical, social and
economic environment and to information and communication, including
information and communication technologies, in enabling persons with disabilities
to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
(r) Convinced that a convention dealing specifically with the human rights
of persons with disabilities will make a significant contribution to redressing the
profound social disadvantage of persons with disabilities and promote their
participation in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres with equal
opportunities, in both developing and developed countries,
Have agreed as follows:
Part I
Article 1
Purpose
The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and fulfil the full
and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with
disabilities.

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Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of the present Convention:
“Communication” includes oral-aural communication, communication using
sign languages and Braille, and tactile communication, large print, audio, accessible
multimedia, human reader and other augmentative or alternative modes of
communication, including accessible information and communication technology;
[“Disability”…]
[“Persons with disabilities”…]
“Discrimination on the basis of disability” means any distinction, exclusion or
restriction on the basis of disability which has the purpose or effect of impairing or
nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of
all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social,
cultural, civil or any other field. It includes all forms of discrimination, including
direct and indirect discrimination;
“Language” includes oral-aural languages and sign languages;
“National laws of general application” means laws that apply to society as a
whole and which do not differentiate in respect of persons with disabilities.
“National laws and procedures of general application” and “national laws, customs
and traditions of general application” shall have the same meaning, mutatis
mutandis;
“Reasonable accommodation” means necessary and appropriate modification
and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate burden, where needed in a
particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on
an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
“Universal design” and “inclusive design” mean the design of products and
environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the
need for adaptation or specialized design.
Article 3
General principles
The fundamental principles of the present Convention shall be:
(a) Dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s own
choices, and independence of persons;
(b) Non-discrimination;
(c) Full and effective participation and inclusion in society on an equal basis
with others for persons with disabilities;
(d) Respect for difference and acceptance of disability as part of human
diversity and humanity;
(e) Equality of opportunity;
(f) Accessibility;
(g) Equality between men and women.

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Article 4
General obligations
1. States Parties undertake to ensure the full realization of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms for persons with disabilities without discrimination of any
kind on the basis of disability. To this end, States Parties undertake:
(a) To adopt legislative, administrative and other measures to give effect to
the present Convention, and to amend, repeal or nullify any laws and regulations
and to discourage customs or traditions that are inconsistent with the present
Convention;
(b) To embody the rights of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of
disability in their national constitutions or other appropriate legislation, if not yet
incorporated therein, and to ensure, through law and other appropriate means, the
practical realization of these rights;
(c) To mainstream disability issues into all economic and social development
policies and programmes;
(d) To refrain from engaging in any act or practice that is inconsistent with
the present Convention and to ensure that public authorities and institutions act in
conformity with the present Convention;
(e) To take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis
of disability by any person, organization or private enterprise;
(f) To undertake or promote the development, availability and use of:
(i) Universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities, to meet
the specific needs of persons with disabilities, which should require the
minimum possible adaptation and the least cost to meet the specific needs of a
person with disabilities, and to promote universal design in the development of
standards and guidelines;
(ii) New technologies, including information and communication
technologies, mobility aids, devices, assistive technologies, suitable for
persons with disabilities, giving priority to affordably priced technologies;
(g) To provide accessible information to persons with disabilities about
mobility aids, devices, and assistive technologies, including new technologies, as
well as other forms of assistance, support services and facilities.
2. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, each State Party
undertakes to take measures to the maximum of its available resources and, where
needed, within the framework of international cooperation, with a view to achieving
progressively the full realization of these rights, except where achieving
progressively the full realization of these rights would result in discrimination on
the basis of disability.
3. In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to
implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes
concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities, States Parties shall closely
consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities and their representative
organizations. Such issues shall include standards and guidelines for accessibility,
the formulation of health, habilitation and rehabilitation legislation and the

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planning, the delivery and evaluation of health, habilitation and rehabilitation
services and the design and implementation of data collection.
4. Nothing in the present Convention shall affect any provisions which are more
conducive to the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities and which may
be contained in the law of a State Party or international law in force for that State.
Article 5
Equality and non-discrimination
1. States Parties recognize that all persons are equal before and under the law and
are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection and equal benefit of
the law.
2. States Parties shall prohibit any discrimination on the basis of disability and
guarantee to persons with disabilities equal and effective protection against
discrimination. States Parties shall also prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to
persons with disabilities equal and effective protection against discrimination on any
other grounds.
3. States Parties undertake to take all appropriate steps to ensure that reasonable
accommodation is provided.
4. Measures which are necessary to accelerate or achieve de facto equality of
persons with disabilities shall not be considered discrimination on the basis of
disability.
[Article 6
Women with disabilities]
[Article 7
Children with disabilities]
Article 8
Raising awareness regarding disability
1. States Parties undertake to adopt immediate and effective measures:
(a) To raise awareness throughout society regarding disability and persons
with disabilities, and to foster respect for their rights;
(b) To combat stereotypes and prejudices about persons with disabilities in
all areas of life;
(c) To promote awareness of the capabilities and contributions of persons
with disabilities.
2. Measures to this end include:
(a) Initiating and maintaining effective public awareness campaigns
designed:
(i) To nurture receptiveness to the rights of persons with disabilities;
(ii) To change negative perceptions and social prejudices towards persons
with disabilities in all matters of [sexuality,] marriage, parenthood and family
relations of persons with disabilities;

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(iii) To promote recognition of the skills, merits, abilities and contributions of
persons with disabilities to the workplace and the labour market;
(b) Fostering at all levels of the education system, including in all children
from an early age, an attitude of respect for the rights of persons with disabilities;
(c) Encouraging all organs of the media to portray persons with disabilities
in a manner consistent with the purpose of the present Convention;
(d) Promoting disability-sensitive awareness training programmes.
Article 9
Accessibility
1. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure accessibility for
persons with disabilities by identifying and eliminating obstacles to the built
environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including
information and communications technologies, and to other services, in order to
ensure the capacity of persons with disabilities to live independently and to
participate fully in all aspects of life. These measures shall apply to, inter alia:
(a) The construction and renovation of public buildings, roads and other
facilities for public use, including schools, housing, medical facilities, in-door and
out-door facilities and publicly owned workplaces;
(b) The development and remodelling of public transportation facilities,
communications and other services, including electronic services.
2. States Parties shall also take appropriate measures:
(a) To provide in public buildings and facilities signage in Braille and easy
to read and understand forms;
(b) To provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides,
readers and sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to public buildings
and facilities;
(c) To develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum
national standards and guidelines for the accessibility of public facilities and
services;
(d) To ensure that private entities which provide public facilities and services
take into account all aspects of accessibility for persons with disabilities;
(e) To provide training for all stakeholders on accessibility issues facing
persons with disabilities;
(f) To promote access for persons with disabilities to the new
communication technologies and systems, including the Internet;
(g) To promote the design, development, production and distribution of
accessible information and communication technologies at an early stage, so that the
information society becomes inclusive at minimum cost;
(h) To promote other appropriate forms of assistance and support to persons
with disabilities to ensure their access to information.

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Part II
Article 10
Right to life
States Parties reaffirm that every human being has the inherent right to life and
shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by persons with
disabilities on an equal basis with others.
[Article 11
Situations of risk
States Parties recognize that in situations of risk to the general population
persons with disabilities are especially vulnerable and shall take all feasible
measures for their protection.]
Article 12
Equal recognition as a person before the law
1. States Parties reaffirm that persons with disabilities have the right to
recognition everywhere as persons before the law.
2. States Parties shall recognize that persons with disabilities have [legal
capacity] on an equal basis with others in all fields and shall ensure, to the extent
possible, that where support is required to exercise [that capacity] [the capacity to
act]:
(a) The assistance provided is proportional to the degree of support required
and tailored to the person’s circumstances, that such support does not undermine the
legal rights of the person, respects the will and preferences of the person and is free
from conflict of interest and undue influence. Where appropriate, such support shall
be subject to regular and independent review;
[(b) Where States Parties provide for a procedure, which shall be established
by law, for the appointment of personal representation as a matter of last resort, such
a law shall provide appropriate safeguards, including regular review of the
appointment of and decisions made by the personal representative by a competent,
impartial and independent tribunal. The appointment and conduct of the personal
representative shall be guided by principles consistent with the present Convention
and international human rights law.]
3. States Parties shall take all appropriate and effective measures to ensure the
equal right of persons with disabilities to own or inherit property, to control their
own financial affairs and to have equal access to bank loans, mortgages and other
forms of financial credit, and shall ensure that persons with disabilities are not
arbitrarily deprived of their property.
Article 13
Access to justice
States Parties shall ensure effective access to justice for persons with
disabilities on an equal basis with others, facilitating their effective role as direct
and indirect participants, including as witnesses, in all legal proceedings, including
the investigative and other preliminary stages.

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Article 14
Liberty and security of the person
1. States Parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with
others:
(a) Enjoy the right to liberty and security of person;
(b) Are not deprived of their liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily, and that any
deprivation of liberty is in conformity with the law, and in no case shall the
existence of a disability justify a deprivation of liberty.
2. States Parties shall ensure that if persons with disabilities are deprived of their
liberty through a civil, criminal, administrative or other process, they have at least
the following guarantees:
(a) To be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity and
worth of the human person, and in a manner that respects their human rights,
conforms with the objectives and principles of the present Convention and
reasonably accommodates their disability;
(b) To be provided promptly with adequate accessible information as to their
legal rights and the reasons for the deprivation of their liberty;
(c) To be provided with prompt access to legal and other appropriate
assistance:
(i) To challenge the lawfulness of the deprivation of their liberty and to
receive a fair hearing, including the right to be heard before a court or other
competent, independent and impartial authority (in which case, they shall be
provided with a prompt decision on any such action);
(ii) To seek review on an equal basis with others of the deprivation of their
liberty, including periodic review as appropriate;
(d) To have an enforceable right to compensation in the case of unlawful
deprivation of liberty.
Article 15
Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
1. No person with disabilities shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment. In particular, States Parties shall prohibit, and
protect persons with disabilities from, medical or scientific experimentation without
the free and informed consent of the person concerned.
2. States Parties shall take all effective legislative, administrative, judicial or
other measures to prevent persons with disabilities from being subjected to torture
or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 16
Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social,
educational and other measures to protect persons with disabilities both within and
outside the home, from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse.

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2. States Parties shall also take all appropriate measures to prevent exploitation,
violence and abuse by ensuring, inter alia, appropriate forms of assistance and
support for persons with disabilities and their families and caregivers, including
through the provision of information and education on how to avoid, recognize and
report instances of exploitation, violence and abuse.
3. In order to prevent the occurrence of exploitation, violence and abuse, States
Parties shall ensure that all facilities and programmes designed to serve persons
with disabilities are effectively monitored by independent authorities.
4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote the physical,
cognitive and psychological recovery, rehabilitation and social reintegration of
persons with disabilities who become victims of any form of exploitation, violence
or abuse, including through the provision of protection services. Such recovery and
reintegration shall take place in an environment that fosters the health, welfare, selfrespect,
dignity and autonomy of the person.
5. States Parties shall put in place effective legislation and policies to ensure that
instances of exploitation, violence and abuse against persons with disabilities are
identified, investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.
Article 17
Protecting the integrity of the person
1. States Parties shall protect the integrity of the person of persons with
disabilities on an equal basis with others.
2. States Parties shall protect persons with disabilities from forced interventions
or forced institutionalization aimed at correcting, improving or alleviating any
actual or perceived impairment.
3. In cases of medical emergency or issues of risk to public health involving
involuntary interventions, persons with disabilities shall be treated on an equal basis
with others.
[4. States Parties shall ensure that involuntary treatment of persons with
disabilities is:
(a) Minimized through the active promotion of alternatives;
(b) Undertaken only in exceptional circumstances, in accordance with
procedures established by law and with the application of appropriate legal
safeguards;
(c) Undertaken in the least restrictive setting possible, and that the best
interests of the person concerned are fully taken into account;
(d) Appropriate for the person and provided without financial cost to the
individual receiving the treatment or to his or her family.]
Article 18
Liberty of movement
[States Parties shall take effective measures to respect and ensure the rights of
persons with disabilities to liberty of movement on an equal basis with others,
including by ensuring that persons with disabilities:

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(a) Have the right to acquire a nationality and are not deprived of their
nationality arbitrarily or on the basis of disability;
(b) Are not deprived, on the basis of disability, of their ability to posses and
utilize documentation of their nationality or other documentation of identification,
or to utilize relevant processes such as immigration proceedings, that may be needed
to facilitate exercise of the right to liberty of movement;
(c) Are free to leave any country, including their own.]
Article 19
Living independently and being included in the community
States Parties shall take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full
enjoyment by persons with disabilities of their freedom of choice, living
independently and full inclusion and participation in the community, including by
ensuring that:
(a) Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of
residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are
not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement;
(b) Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-home, residential
and other community support services, including personal assistance necessary to
support living and inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or
segregation from the community;
(c) Community services and facilities for the general population are
available on an equal basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their
needs.
Article 20
Personal mobility
States Parties shall take effective measures to ensure liberty of movement with
the greatest possible independence for persons with disabilities, including:
(a) Facilitating the freedom of movement of persons with disabilities in the
manner and at the time of their choice, and at affordable cost;
(b) Facilitating access by persons with disabilities to high-quality mobility
aids, devices, assistive technologies and forms of live assistance and intermediaries,
including by making them available at affordable cost;
(c) Providing training in mobility skills to persons with disabilities and to
specialist staff working with persons with disabilities;
(d) Encouraging private entities that produce mobility aids, devices and
assistive technologies to take into account all aspects of mobility for persons with
disabilities.
Article 21
Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that persons with
disabilities can exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion, including

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the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis
with others and through sign languages, and Braille, and augmentative alternative
communication and all other accessible means, modes and formats of
communication of their choice, including by:
(a) Providing information intended for the general public to persons with
disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of
disabilities in a timely manner and without additional cost;
(b) Accepting and facilitating the use of sign languages, and Braille, and
augmentative alternative communication and all other accessible means, modes and
formats of communication of their choice by persons with disabilities in official
interactions;
(c) Urging private entities that provide services to the general public,
including through the Internet, to provide information and services in accessible and
usable formats for persons with disabilities;
(d) Urging the mass media, including providers of information through the
Internet, to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities;
(e) [[Developing] [Recognizing] [Promoting] a national sign language.]
Article 22
Respect for privacy
1. No person with disabilities, regardless of place of residence or living
arrangements, shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her
privacy, family, home or correspondence or other types of communication or to
unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation. Persons with disabilities have
the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
2. States Parties shall protect the privacy of personal, health and rehabilitation
information of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
Article 23
Respect for the home and the family
1. States Parties shall take effective and appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against persons with disabilities in all matters relating to marriage,
family and personal relations, and in particular shall ensure, on an equal basis with
others:
(a) That persons with disabilities are not denied the equal opportunity to
[experience their sexuality,] have sexual and other intimate relationships and
experience parenthood [in accordance with national laws, customs and traditions of
general application];
(b) That the right of all [men and women] [persons] with disabilities who are
of marriageable age to marry and to found a family on the basis of free and full
consent of the intending spouses is recognized [and that spouses should be equal
partners];
(c) The rights of persons with disabilities to decide freely and responsibly on
the number and spacing of their children [and to have access to information,
reproductive and family planning education, the means necessary to enable them to

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exercise these rights and the equal opportunity to retain their fertility to the extent
that these are permitted by national laws of general application].
2. States Parties shall ensure the rights and responsibilities of persons with
disabilities with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship and adoption of
children, or similar institutions where these concepts exist in national legislation; in
all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount. States Parties shall render
appropriate assistance to disabled persons in the performance of their child-rearing
responsibilities.
3. States Parties shall ensure that a child is not separated from his or her parents
against their will, except when competent authorities determine, in accordance with
national laws and procedures of general application and subject to judicial review or
other forms of administrative review as established by law, that such separation is
necessary for the best interests of the child. In no case shall a child be separated
from parents on the basis of a disability of either the child or one or both of the
parents.
Article 24
Education
1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education.
With a view to achieving this right without discrimination and on the basis of equal
opportunity, States Parties shall ensure an inclusive education at all levels and lifelong
learning, directed to:
(a) The full development of the human potential and sense of dignity and
self worth, and the strengthening of respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms
and human diversity;
(b) The development by persons with disabilities of their personality, talents
and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities, to their fullest potential;
(c) Enabling persons with disabilities to participate effectively in a free
society.
2. In realizing this right, States Parties shall ensure:
(a) That persons with disabilities are not excluded from the general
education system on the basis of disability, and that children with disabilities are not
excluded from free and compulsory primary and secondary education on the basis of
disability;
(b) That persons with disabilities can access inclusive, quality, free primary
and secondary education to the extent possible in the communities in which they
live;
(c) Reasonable accommodation of the individual’s requirements;
(d) That persons with disabilities receive the support required, within the
general education system, to facilitate their effective education. In exceptional
circumstances where the general education system cannot adequately meet the
support needs of persons with disabilities, States Parties shall ensure that effective
alternative support measures are provided, consistent with the goal of full inclusion;

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(e) The development of initial and continuing training, which incorporates
disability awareness, the use of appropriate communication means and modes,
educational techniques and materials to support persons with disabilities, for all
professionals and staff who work at all levels of education.
3. States Parties shall enable persons with disabilities to learn life and social
development skills to facilitate their full and equal participation in education and as
members of the community. To this end, States Parties shall:
(a) Facilitate the learning of Braille, alternative script, orientation and
mobility skills, and facilitate peer support and mentoring;
(b) Facilitate the learning of sign language and the promotion of the
linguistic identity of the deaf community;
(c) Ensure that the education of children who are blind, deaf and deaf/blind
is delivered in the most appropriate languages and modes of communication for the
individual, and in environments which maximize academic and social development.
4. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure quality education to
students with sensory disabilities through the employment of teachers who are
fluent in sign language or Braille, including teachers with disabilities.
5. States Parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities may access general
tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning without
discrimination and on the basis of equality of opportunity. To that end, States Parties
shall render appropriate support to persons with disabilities.
Article 25
Health
States Parties recognize that persons with disabilities have the right to the
enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health without
discrimination on the basis of disability. States Parties shall take all appropriate
measures to ensure access for persons with disabilities to health services, including
health-related rehabilitation. In particular, States Parties shall:
(a) Provide persons with disabilities with the same range and standard of
affordable health services as provided other persons, [including sexual and
reproductive health services] and population-based public health programmes;
(b) Provide those health services needed by persons with disabilities
specifically because of their disabilities, including early identification and
intervention as appropriate, and services designed to minimize and prevent further
disabilities, including among children and the elderly;
(c) Provide these health services as close as possible to people’s own
communities, including in rural areas;
(d) Require health professionals to provide care of the same quality to
persons with disabilities as to others and on the basis of free and informed consent
by, where necessary, raising awareness of the human rights, dignity, autonomy and
needs of persons with disabilities through training and the promulgation of ethical
standards for public and private health care;

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(e) Prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision
of health insurance, and life insurance where permitted by national law, which shall
be provided in a fair and reasonable manner.
Article 26
Habilitation and rehabilitation
1. States Parties shall take effective and appropriate measures to enable persons
with disabilities to attain their maximum independence, fullest physical, mental,
social and vocational ability, and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of
life. To that end, States Parties shall organize, strengthen and extend comprehensive
habilitation and rehabilitation services, particularly in the areas of health,
employment, education and social services, in such a way that:
(a) Habilitation and rehabilitation services and programmes begin at the
earliest possible stage, and are based on the multidisciplinary assessment of
individual needs;
(b) Habilitation and rehabilitation services and programmes support
participation and inclusion in the community and all aspects of society, and are
available to persons with disabilities as close as possible to their own communities,
including in rural areas.
2. States Parties shall promote the development of initial and continuing training
for professionals and staff working in habilitation and rehabilitation services.
Article 27
Work and employment
States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an
equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by
work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is
open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. States Parties shall set an
example through employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector, and
shall take other appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realization of the
right to work, including measures:
(a) To protect through legislation persons with disabilities with regard to
conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuance of employment,
career advancement, working conditions, including equal opportunities and equal
remuneration for work of equal value, safe and healthy working conditions and the
redressing of grievances;
(b) To ensure that persons with disabilities are able to exercise their labour
and trade union rights in accordance with national laws of general legislation;
(c) To enable persons with disabilities to have effective access to general
technical and vocational guidance programmes, placement services and vocational
and continuing training;
(d) To promote employment opportunities and career advancement for
persons with disabilities in the labour market, as well as assistance in finding,
obtaining and maintaining and returning to employment;

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(e) To promote opportunities for self-employment, entrepreneurship and
starting one’s own business;
(f) To encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities through
appropriate policies and measures, which may include affirmative action
programmes, incentives and other measures;
(g) To ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to persons with
disabilities in the workplace;
(h) To promote the acquisition by persons with disabilities of work
experience in the open labour market;
(i) To promote vocational and professional rehabilitation, job retention and
return-to-work programmes for persons with disabilities.
Article 28
Adequate standard of living and social protection
1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to an adequate
standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food,
clothing and housing and to the continuous improvement of living conditions,
including access to clean water, and shall take appropriate steps to safeguard and
promote the realization of this right without discrimination on the basis of disability.
2. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to social
protection, and to the enjoyment of that right without discrimination on the basis of
disability, and shall take appropriate steps to safeguard and promote the realization
of this right, including measures:
(a) To ensure access by persons with disabilities to appropriate and
affordable services, devices and other assistance for disability-related needs;
(b) To ensure access by persons with disabilities, [in particular women and
girls with disabilities and the aged with disabilities,] to social protection
programmes and poverty reduction strategies;
(c) To ensure access by persons with disabilities and their families living in
situations of poverty to assistance from the State to cover disability-related expenses
(including adequate training, counselling, financial assistance and respite care),
which should not become a disincentive to develop themselves;
(d) To ensure access by persons with disabilities to public housing
programmes.
Article 29
Participation in political and public life
States Parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities their political rights
and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others, and shall
undertake:
(a) To ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully
participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others in accordance
with national laws of general application, directly or through freely chosen

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representatives, including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to
vote and be elected, by:
(i) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate,
accessible and easy to understand and use;
(ii) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities to vote by secret ballot in
elections and public referendums, without intimidation, and to stand for
elections and to hold office and perform all public functions at all levels of
government;
(iii) Guaranteeing the free expression of the will of persons with disabilities
as electors and to this end, where necessary, at their request, allowing
assistance in voting by a person of their own choice;
(b) To promote actively an environment in which persons with disabilities
can effectively and fully participate in the conduct of public affairs, without
discrimination and on an equal basis with others, and encourage their participation
in public affairs, including:
(i) Participation in non-governmental organizations and associations
concerned with the public and political life of the country, including the
activities and administration of political parties;
(ii) Forming and joining organizations of persons with disabilities to
represent persons with disabilities at international, national, regional and local
levels.
Article 30
Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to take part on an
equal basis with others in cultural life, and shall take all appropriate measures to
ensure that persons with disabilities:
(a) Enjoy access to cultural materials in all accessible formats;
(b) Enjoy access to television programmes, films, theatre, and other cultural
activities, in all accessible formats;
(c) Enjoy access to places for cultural performances or services, such as
theatres, museums, cinemas, libraries and tourism services, and, as far as possible,
enjoy access to monuments and sites of national cultural importance.
2. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to enable persons with
disabilities to have the opportunity to develop and utilize their creative, artistic and
intellectual potential, not only for their own benefit, but also for the enrichment of
society.
3. States Parties shall take all appropriate steps to ensure that laws protecting
intellectual property rights do not constitute an unreasonable or discriminatory
barrier to access by persons with disabilities to cultural materials, while respecting
the provisions of international law.
4. Persons with disabilities shall be entitled, on an equal basis with others, to
recognition and support of their specific cultural and linguistic identity, including
sign languages and deaf culture.

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5. With a view to enabling persons with disabilities to participate on an equal
basis with others in recreational, leisure and sporting activities, States Parties shall
take appropriate measures:
(a) To encourage and promote the participation, to the fullest extent possible,
of persons with disabilities in mainstream sporting activities at all levels;
(b) To ensure that persons with disabilities have an opportunity to organize,
develop and participate in disability-specific sporting and recreational activities, and
to this end, encourage the provision, on an equal basis with others, of appropriate
instruction, training and resources;
(c) To ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sporting and
recreational and tourism venues;
(d) To ensure that children with disabilities have equal access to
participation in play, recreation, and leisure and sporting activities, including those
in the school system;
(e) To ensure that persons with disabilities have access to services from
those involved in the organization of recreational, tourism, leisure and sporting
activities.
Part III
Article 31
Statistics and data collection
1. Where necessary, States Parties undertake to collect appropriate information,
including statistical data, to enable them to formulate and implement policies to give
effect to the present Convention. The process of collecting and maintaining this
information should:
(a) Comply with legally established safeguards to ensure confidentiality and
respect for the privacy of persons with disabilities, including legislation on data
protection;
(b) Comply with internationally accepted norms to protect human rights and
fundamental freedoms and ethical principles of statistics.
2. The information collected in accordance with this article shall be used to help
assess the implementation of States Parties obligations under the present
Convention, and shall also be used to identify and address the barriers faced by
persons with disabilities in exercising their rights.
[Article 32
International cooperation]
Article 33
National implementation and monitoring
[1. States Parties shall designate a focal point within government for matters
relating to the implementation of the present Convention, and give due
consideration to the establishment or designation of a coordination mechanism to
facilitate related action in different sectors and at different levels.

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2. States Parties shall, in accordance with their legal and administrative system,
maintain, strengthen, designate or establish at the national level a framework to
promote, protect and monitor implementation of the rights recognized in the present
Convention.]
3. Civil society, in particular persons with disabilities and their representative
organizations, shall be involved and participate fully in all levels of the monitoring
process.
Article 34
International monitoring
Part IV
Article ___
Signature
The present Convention shall be open for signature by all States.
Article ___
Ratification
The present Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments of ratification
shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article ___
Accession
The present Convention shall remain open for accession by any State. The
instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United
Nations.
Article ___
Entry into force
1. The present Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the
date of deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the twentieth
instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the present Convention after the deposit
of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter
into force on the thirtieth day after the deposit by such State of its instrument of
ratification or accession.
Article ___
Amendment
1. Any State Party may propose an amendment and file it with the Secretary-
General of the United Nations. The Secretary-General shall thereupon communicate
the proposed amendment to States Parties, with a request that they indicate whether
they favour a conference of States Parties for the purpose of considering and voting
upon the proposals. In the event that, within four months from the date of such
communication, at least one third of the States Parties favour such a conference, the
Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the auspices of the United

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Nations. Any amendment adopted by a majority of States Parties present and voting
at the conference shall be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of the present article
shall enter into force when it has been approved by the General Assembly of the
United Nations and accepted by a two-thirds majority of States Parties.
3. When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on those States
Parties which have accepted it, other States Parties still being bound by the
provisions of the present Convention and any earlier amendments which they have
accepted.
Article ___
Reservations
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive and circulate to all
States the text of reservations made by States at the time of ratification or accession.
2. A reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the present
Convention shall not be permitted.
3. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification to that effect
addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall then inform all
States. Such notification shall take effect on the date on which it is received by the
Secretary-General.
Article ___
Dispute settlement
1. Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the interpretation
or application of the present Convention that is not settled by negotiation shall, at
the request of one of them, be submitted to arbitration. If within six months from the
date of the request for arbitration the Parties are unable to agree on the organization
of the arbitration, any of those Parties may refer the dispute to the International
Court of Justice by request in conformity with the Statute of the Court.
2. Each State Party may at the time of signature or ratification of the present
Convention or accession thereto declare that it does not consider itself bound by
paragraph 1 of the present article. The other States Parties shall not be bound by that
paragraph with respect to any State Party that has made such a declaration.
3. Any State Party that has made a declaration in accordance with paragraph 2 of
the present article may at any time withdraw that declaration by notification to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article ___
Depositary
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated as the depositary of
the present Convention.

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Article ___
Authentic texts
The original of the present Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit certified copies of
the present Convention to all States.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the undersigned plenipotentiaries, being duly
authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed the present
Convention.

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Annex II
Old and new structures of the draft Convention
A. Old structure
Old article New article
1 Purpose 1
2 General principles 3
3 Definitions 2
4 General obligations 4
5 Promotion of positive attitudes 8
6 Statistics and data collection 31
7 Equality and non-discrimination 5
8 Right to life 10
8 bis Situations of risk 11
9 Equal recognition as a person before the law 12
9 bis Access to justice 13
10 Liberty and security of the person 14
11 Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment
15
12 Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse 16
12 bis Protecting the integrity of the person 17
13 Freedom of expression 21
14 Respect for privacy 22
14 bis Respect for home and family 23
15 Living independently 19
15 bis Women with disabilities 6
16 Children with disabilities 7
17 Education 24
18 Participation in political and public life 29
19 Accessibility 9
20 Personal mobility 20
20 bis Liberty of movement 18
21 Health 25
21 bis Habilitation and rehabilitation 26
22 Work and employment 27
23 Adequate standard of living and social protection 28
24 Participation in cultural life 30

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24 bis International cooperation 32
25 National implementation and monitoring 33
25 bis International monitoring 34
B. New structure
New article Old article
Preamble
Part I
1 Purpose 1
2 Definitions 3
3 General principles 2
4 General obligations 4
5 Equality and non-discrimination 7
6 [Women with disabilities] 15 bis
7 [Children with disabilities] 16
8 Raising awareness regarding disability 5
9 Accessibility 19
Part II
10 Right to life 8
11 [Situations of risk] 8 bis
12 Equal recognition as a person before the law 9
13 Access to justice 9 bis
14 Liberty and security of the person 10
15 Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment
11
16 Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse 12
17 Protecting the integrity of the person 12 bis
18 Liberty of movement 20 bis
19 Living independently and being included in the
community
15
20 Personal mobility 20
21 Freedom of expression and opinion, and access
to information
13
22 Respect for privacy 14
23 Respect for the home and the family 14 bis
24 Education 17
25 Health 21

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26 Habilitation and rehabilitation 21 bis
27 Work and employment 22
28 Adequate standard of living and social protection 23
29 Participation in political and public life 18
30 Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure
and sport
24
Part III
31 Statistics and data collection 6
[32 International cooperation] 24 bis
33 National implementation and monitoring 25
34 International monitoring 26
Part IV
– Signature [new]
– Ratification [new]
– Accession [new]
– Entry into force [new]
– Amendment [new]
– Reservations [new]
– Dispute settlement [new]
– Depositary [new]
– Authentic texts [new]