Res. No. 953
Resolution calling upon the United States Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for the United States Senate to approve and President Barack Obama to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
By Council Members Dromm, Brewer, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Rose, Williams and Rodriguez
Whereas, The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention) is an international human rights treaty created to reaffirm that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms; and
Whereas, In 2004, a large group of representatives from governments and civil society organizations met in New York City to draft a new United Nations convention on the rights of disabled people; and
Whereas, New York City is home to many individuals and organizations that advocate both nationally and internationally for the rights of the disabled; and
Whereas, As New York City has long been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, it is particularly fitting that the Council of the City of New York demonstrates its strong support for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol; and
Whereas, The Convention clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations are necessary for persons with disabilities to exercise their rights more effectively, where disabled persons' rights have been violated, and where protection of their rights must be reinforced; and
Whereas, Ratification of the Convention by the United States would protect persons, including those who live in New York City, against discrimination and provide strong support for fundamental human rights for all New Yorkers regardless of ability; and
Whereas, Ratification of the Convention would require the United States to submit reports to the Convention's monitoring body, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and to respond to questions about the progress of the protection of the rights of such persons throughout the United States, including within the City of New York; and
Whereas, The City of New York is constantly looking for ways to improve the lives of its disabled residents and to ensure an environment that promotes their best interests; and
Whereas, Upon ratification of the Convention, community-based organizations and other entities in New York City would be able to participate in the proceedings of the Committee and compel the U.S. government to implement the Committee's recommendations; and
Whereas, The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention in 2006, and the Convention went into force in 2008; and
Whereas, President Obama signed the Convention in July 2009; and
Whereas, 99 countries have ratified the Convention, and 61 countries have ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which provides a complaint mechanism for violations of the Convention after the exhaustion of all applicable national remedies and procedures; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the New York City Council calls upon the United States Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for the United States Senate to approve and President Barack Obama to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
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6/14/11