Finland Times

Finland signed the Convention and its Optional Protocol, adopted by the United Nations on  December 13,  2006 and on March 30, 2007 respectively.

The aim of this Convention is 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. 

The aim of the Optional Protocol is to strengthen the protection of human rights recognized in the Convention through the establishment of an individual complaints mechanism as well as by enabling the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to conduct investigation procedures at its own initiative.

In order to expedite the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Persons and its Optional Protocol, in May 2011 the Ministry for Foreign Affairs appointed a Committee charged with preparing and determining the measures necessary for ratifying the Convention and its Optional Protocol. 

The term of the Committee expired on 31 December 2013. The Committee included broad representation of the central government, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and civil society organizations, in particular organizations of persons with disabilities.

The intention is for the Convention and its Optional Protocol to be ratified during the term of the present Government.