Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Adopted and opened for signature and ratification by General Assembly
resolution 61/106 of 13 December 2006
Preamble
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 worth 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, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with disabilities to be guaranteed their full enjoyment without
discrimination,
(d) Recalling 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 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 that disability is an evolving concept and that disability results from the interaction between
persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others,
(f) Recognizing the importance of the principles and policy guidelines contained in the World Programme of
Action concerning Disabled Persons and 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,
(g) Emphasizing the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of relevant strategies of
sustainable development,
(h) Recognizing also that discrimination against any person on the basis of disability is a violation of the
inherent dignity and worth of the human person,
(i) Recognizing further the diversity of persons with disabilities,
(j) Recognizing the need to promote and protect the human rights of all persons with disabilities, including
those who require more intensive support,
(k) 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,
(l) Recognizing the importance of international cooperation for improving the living conditions of persons with
disabilities in every country, particularly in developing countries,
(m) Recognizing the valued existing and potential contributions made by persons with disabilities to the overall
well-being and diversity of their communities, and 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 their enhanced sense of belonging and in significant advances in the human, social and economic
development of society and the eradication of poverty,
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