UK´s failure to ratify UN Convention on Rights of Disabled People "Shameful"- Liz Lynne MEP

3.43.07pm GMT Wed 7th Jan 2009

Local Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne has today criticised the government for missing its deadline of ratifying the United Nations' Convention on the rights of people with disabilities by 2008. Liz played a key role in campaigning for the treaty and was the European Parliaments draftsperson for a report on the treaty in 2003.

The UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities is an international treaty which guarantee equal treatment for disabled people in all walks of life and was meant to be ratified before the start of 2009. Despite the fact that over 43 states have now ratified it the UK is delaying and trying to secure opt outs from parts of it.

Commenting today, Liz, who is also Vice President of the European Parliaments All Party Disability Intergroup said:

"Achieving a legally binding convention was a milestone in itself, but it is no use if countries do not sign and ratify it. The refusal of the UK Government's to ratify this treaty while at the same time trying to undermine the hard work done by disabled people and others by watering down the treaty is shameful.

The ratification and implementation of the Convention by all countries is a vital step in delivering the equality that disabled people are entitled to. If the UK is to have any credibility in this debate, it must lead by example."