Medical Whistleblower is:
Calling on the United States to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
WHEREAS, the Convention is the first human rights treaty of the 21st century; and the President of the United States signed the treaty on July 30, 2009 and it is now necessary to ratify the treaty to give it the force of law.
WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a landmark treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 13 2006, to promote and protect the rights of the world's 650 million Disabled people; and
WHEREAS, the Convention will require ratifying nations "to promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity" and promote awareness of the capabilities of those who have disabilities; and
WHEREAS, historically, persons with disabilities have been marginalized, stigmatized, and deprived of opportunities and freedoms afforded to individuals without disabilities; and the Convention also requires governments to fight stereotypes of people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, the Convention also recognizes that attitudes need to change if disabled people are to achieve equality; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Medical Whistleblower as an advocacy network supports the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Medical Whistleblower will actively pursue a commitment from the United States to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and recommit ourselves as a country to human rights, empowerment and independent living for all people with disabilities of the world.
ACTION ALERT: Help Build Support for the UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities
The President of the United States, Barack Obama, chose to continue the U.S.'s historic role as a leader in the field of disability and human rights, and on July 30, 2009 signed the UN Convention on the Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: You can help generate grassroots support to urge the U.S. Congress to follow President Barack Obama's lead and to ratify this critical international human rights document. Encourage your local and state governmental bodies and organizations to pass resolutions endorsing the UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities.
WHEN TO ACT: Now!
WHO: These are some organizations that you can approach:
1. Local city, county, town, and other municipal offices.
2. Local, state, and national organizations that focus on civil and human rights.
3. Local disability boards and commissions.
WHAT TO DO:
1. CALL the offices of these local and state governments, commissions, boards, and organizations and ask to speak to the staff person who handles policy or public affairs.
2. TELL THEM:You are disappointed that the United States has not yet ratified the UN Convention on Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities and that you want to ensure that the US actively participates in the quest for international human rights.
You believe that they can play a leadership role in convincing the President and Administration to sign the Convention. The Convention is consistent with and reinforces American values and principles. The US is proud of the progress made since passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990.
Ask your local government to pass a resolution in support of the Convention.
For further information about the CRPD please visit these links:
Links:
Additional Resources
Notes: CRPD Overview by Myra Kovary
The
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the
Right to be Free from Nonconsensual Psychiatric Interventions, by
Tina Minkowit
The
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the
Right to be Free from Nonconsensual Psychiatric Interventions, by
Tina Minkowit
International
Disability Alliance (IDA) Position Paper on the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities and other Instruments
International
Disability Alliance (IDA) Position Paper on the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities and other Instruments
IDA CRPD Forum Principles for the Implementation of Article 12
Contribution
to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' from
IDA CRPD Forum
Contribution to the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights' from IDA CRPD Forum
Position papers
Position
paper on the principles for the protection of persons with mental illness
The World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP) voted at its
July 2001 General Assembly in Vancouver to call for the United Nations General
Assembly to revoke the Principles.
Read the
paper here.
