What the UNCRPD is

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is a UN treaty which affirms and protects the human rights of people with disabilities.

The Convention applies established human rights principles from the UN Declaration on Human Rights to the situation of persons with disabilities. It covers civil and political rights to equal treatment and freedom from discrimination, and social and economic rights in areas like education, health care, employment and transport.

The UNCRPD contains 50 Articles. Aside from provisions around definitions, principles and processes, the Convention contains 26 Articles covering all areas of life, from Health, Education and Employment to Equal Recognition before the Law, Freedom from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse, and Accessibility.

On 10 November 2021, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, submitted Ireland’s first report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The report describes what Ireland is doing to protect and enhance the rights of people with disabilities. The report was informed by the views and experiences of people with disabilities which were shared through a consultation process held in early 2021.

Ireland is due before the UN Committee to report on its implementation of the UNCRPD. This report will be reviewed by the UN Committee and Ireland is currently awaiting a date for that review. The information gathered by the UN Committee through the review process at this appearance will inform the Committee's report on how Ireland is implementing the UNCRPD and it is expected that the report will inform their conclusions. They will highlight good practice in relation to UNCRPD implementation and make recommendations on areas for improvements.