UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities enters into force today

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol will enter into force for Finland today on 10 June 2016. Finland deposited its instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary General on 11 May 2016.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini considers the entry into force of the Convention and its Protocol a significant step in strengthening the status of the rights of persons with disabilities. At the same time it underscores the state's obligation to promote these rights.

Minister Soini emphasises that it is particularly important that persons with disabilities are engaged in and heard in matters that concern them: "It is essential to take care that the most vulnerable are also heard both in Finland and in other countries. The work of the coordination group for international disability policy under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is one way to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in the preparation of Finland's foreign and security policy."

Read more in the press release(Link to another website.) of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.