New Zealand ratifies international disability convention

29 September 2008
The New Zealand Government has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, demonstrating New Zealand’s commitment to disability rights.

The Honorable Phil Goff, Minister for Justice, ratifying the convention at the UN General Assembly in New York, said it marked a new status for disabled people.

“As an international legal framework, states must ensure that disabled people are equal citizens and should enjoy rights on an equal basis with others,” he said. “This ratification continues the strong progress New Zealand has made over the past eight years in promoting a society where disabled people are valued and included.”

Marianne Taylor, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, commended the Government for its leadership role in protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities. She said that an estimated 660,300 people, representing 17% of the New Zealand population, reported a disability in the June 2006 Statistics New Zealand survey.

“The arts and creative expression are integral to the lives of most New Zealanders.  At Arts Access Aotearoa, our role is to ensure that people with disabilities are able to lead fulfilling creative  lives.”

Mr Goff said that New Zealand was one of only a few countries in the world with a national disability strategy.

Last year, New Zealand was awarded the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award, presented to Governor-General Anand Satyanand at a ceremony in New York in May 2008. This award recognises countries that have made sustained improvements over time to the lives of the disabled.

“However, there is more we must do,” Mr Goff said. “This ratification, bringing the number of countries in the convention to 38, will provide momentum to continue our strong progress.”