Japan signs UN disability convention

30th September 2007

Japan is the latest country to sign up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Masahiko Komura signed the convention at a five-day Treaty Event, held at the UN.

One-hundred and fourteen countries have signed up so far, with five countries; Jamaica, Hungary, Panama, Croatia and Cuba ratifying it - twenty ratifications are needed for the treaty to come into force.

Employers' Forum on Disability welcomed the formal adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities on 11th December 2006.

The Convention will, for the first time, provide a recognised international standard for the rights and freedoms of the 650 million disabled people around the world.

Susan Scott-Parker, Chief Executive of the Employers' Forum on Disability said: "Our 400 members believe that in order for disabled people to be treated equally they must be treated differently.

"The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has the potential to ensure that barriers for disabled people, particularly in developing countries, are removed and all disabled people are able to realise their potential."

Ends

Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk