Rehabilitation International's Charter

HC Deb 25 March 2002 vol 382 cc618-9W

Mr. Kaufman

To ask the Prime Minister what response he has made to representations on the Government's support for Rehabilitation International's Charter for the Third Millennium, presented to him on 5 July 2000 and the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Charter's call for a UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People; and if he will(a) publish the response in the Official Report and (b) place copies in the Library. [45511]

The Prime Minister

I have received representations on this matter.

I welcomed Rehabilitation International's Charter for the Third Millennium in July 2000. In doing so, I said that I believed that it would form the basis of a global consensus on priorities for at least the next decade. This absolutely remains the Government's view.

At the UN General Assembly in November a resolution calling for an international convention on disability, as envisaged in the charter, was adopted. The resolution has now established an ad hoc committee to consider proposals for an international convention on the rights and dignities of disabled people. It is likely that the committee will meet this summer. We will want to work closely with other on the committee to ensure that the convention is clearly focused and its aims and objectives are consistent with member states' national interests and responsibilities.

In addition, there have been two further important international developments. The Irish Resolution at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in 2000 has led to a study on the adequacy of existing international standards to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Its findings are due soon and are expected to inform the Irish draft at this year's CHR. We also await the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Social Development for Disability, Mr. Bengt Lindquist, who is monitoring the implementation of the UN Standard Rules as well as looking at the question of an international convention. The Government support the activities of the Special Rapporteur and have contributed £20,000 to further his important work.

In the meantime, the Government continue to focus here on action to take forward our commitment to comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people in the UK. This policy presently ensures that the UK is ahead of many other countries in legislating for and promoting civil rights for disabled people.