The “UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, on which the negotiations process had been initiated in 2002 was adopted at the UN General Assembly on 13 December 2006 with acclamation. The Convention has been opened for signature at the United Nations on 30 March 2007.

H.E. Ambassador Baki İlkin, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations, has signed the Convention recently and thus Turkey has taken her place among the first countries that has signed the Convention.

During the negotiations on the Convention, Turkey has advocated ensuring full and equal exercise of rights by disabled persons, eliminating discrimination towards persons with disabilities and providing them equal participation opportunities in all walks of life.

Accordingly, Turkey also has supported speedy finalization of the negotiations on the said Convention.

The Convention sets out the rights of disabled persons and obligations of States Parties under the following sections: general principles, general obligations, prohibition of discrimination, accessibility, education, health, work and employment, participation in political and public life. The Convention also envisages the establishment of the “Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” to monitor the implementation of the Convention.

The Convention will enter into force upon its ratification by 20 member states.