07.22.14

Durbin Lauds Committee Passage of Treaty on the Rights of the Disabled

DURBIN LAUDS COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF TREATY ON THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to pass a resolution ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a treaty to recognize fundamental values of non-discrimination and equal access for persons with disabilities around the world:

 

“The United States has led the world in fighting for inclusion and opportunity for people living with disabilities. I’m proud to support this treaty and hope that my colleagues in the full Senate will agree that people living with disabilities around the world should be afforded the same rights we’ve worked to provide here at home.”

 

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was written to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the convention agree to protect and promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and ensure they are equally protected under the law. Because of laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, the United States is already in full compliance with all of the requirements of the treaty. Ratification of this treaty requires no changes to U.S. laws, has no impact on U.S. sovereignty, and costs no money.

 

The treaty is supported by 165 disability rights organizations, 21 veterans groups, former President George H.W. Bush, former Senator Bob Dole, and hundreds of other groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce and the US Olympic Committee.  The treaty has also received bipartisan support in the Senate.

 

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