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30 March 2007 – the Convention and Optional Protocol opened for signature at UN Headquarters in New York. States or regional integration organizations may now sign the Convention and Optional Protocol at any time at UN Headquarters in New York. Signature creates an obligation, in the period between signature and ratification or consent to be bound, to refrain in good faith from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of the treaty.
Statements made at the Opening for Signature Ceremony of the Convention
Video from the Opening for Signature ceremony, Press Conference and Media Stakeout
Entry into force – the Convention will enter into force on the thirtieth day after the 20th ratification or accession. The Optional Protocol will enter into force on the thirtieth day after the 10th ratification or accession.
The Secretary General will convene the first meeting of the Conference of States Parties no later than six months after the entry into force of the Convention, which will elect members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities shall be established at the time of entry into force of the Convention, and shall consist of twelve experts. After an additional sixty ratifications or accessions to the Convention, the membership of the Committee shall increase to a maximum number of eighteen members.
13 December 2006 – the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.
Statements made at the adoption of the Convention
Watch the video of the Adoption Ceremony : English | Original
Watch the video of the UN Press Conference following the Adoption - English
Final report of the Ad Hoc Committee - A/61/611
Word: English | Français | Español | عربي | Русский | 汉语
December 2006 – the resumed eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee adopted the final draft of the Convention and its Optional Protocol with the technical amendments suggested by the drafting committee.
September – November 2006 – Liechtenstein convened the drafting group which undertook a technical review to ensure uniformity of terminology throughout the text and to harmonize the versions in the six official languages of the UN.
August 2006 – the eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee finalized negotiations on the draft Convention and a separate Optional Protocol and adopted the texts ad interim subject to a technical review being undertaken by a drafting committee consisting of State representatives.
May-August 2006 – Mexico led informal consultations on international monitoring.
January 2006 – the seventh session of the Ad Hoc Committee completed a first reading of the Chairperson’s text.
August 2005 – the sixth session of the Ad Hoc Committee completed the second reading of the draft text. The Chairperson prepared a revised text, reflecting debate at the third, fourth and fifth sessions for presentation at the seventh session of the Committee.
January/February 2005 – the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Committee held informal consultations on specific draft articles. Civil society organizations, national human rights institutions and inter-governmental organizations were allowed to attend the informal consultations although only States had a right to intervene.
August/September 2004 – fourth session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee completed the first reading of the draft text and started the second reading. The participation of civil society organizations and national human rights institutions in the sessions of the Committee was confirmed although the right to intervene was limited.
May/June 2004 – third session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee conducted a first reading of the working group draft. The Ad Hoc Committee discussed whether it should meet in closed session in the future or in the presence of civil society organizations and national human rights institutions.
January 2004 – the working group met and produced a working draft of the convention text, taking into account the numerous draft texts submitted by States and others.
August 2003 – second session of the Ad Hoc Committee which established a working group to prepare a draft text. Twenty-seven governmental representatives designated by regional groups, twelve representatives from NGOs and one representative of National Human Rights Institutions comprised the working group.
August 2002 – first session of the Ad Hoc Committee meets and sets out procedures for participation of civil society.
December 2001 – Mexican proposal in the General Assembly to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to protect and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities