UNA-USA Executive Director Patrick Madden Statement on Progression of the Convention on the Rights of Peoples with Disabilities

Patrick Madden, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), made the following statement in response to the passage of the Convention on the Rights of Peoples with Disabilities in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

“The Senate Foreign Relations Committee took a historic step in passing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD was inspired largely by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). America influenced the creation of the Convention, and the Americans that make up UNA-USA’s membership influenced the legislative process that is helping make U.S. participation in CRPD a reality.

“In the week leading up to the vote in the Committee, UNA-USA members rose to the occasion by contacting their senators in Washington, voicing their support for CRPD, and urging them to pass this important treaty. Our members’ actions are exemplary of how UNA-USA helps the U.S. maintain a leadership role on the most important global issues.

“Eventual ratification of CRPD in the full Senate, which could happen as early as this week, would help ensure equal treatment for peoples with disabilities and stamp out discrimination concerning access to justice, health care, education, and employment. Moving ahead, UNA-USA looks forward to working with our elected officials to make the U.S. the 118th country to sign on to this important document.

“Beyond this success, UNA-USA members will continue to push for U.S. ratification of other critically important UN treaties, including the Law of the Sea treaty and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“This passage is a significant victory for the U.S., UNA-USA, and most importantly, those who will have their rights better protected as a result of American ratification of CRPD.”