Overview of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Objectives and Issues for Debate
The Senate considered providing its advice and consent to U.S. ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) during the second session of the 112th Congress. CRPD is the only multilateral treaty that specifically aims to protect the rights of those who are disabled. To date, 153 countries, including the United States, have signed the Convention, and it has been ratified or acceded to by 119 countries. President Barack Obama signed CRPD on behalf of the United States on July 30, 2009. He transmitted it to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification…
