Finland ratifies the UN CRPD

Following the Netherlands in January 2016, Finland has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) on 11 May 2016 including its Optional Protocol. The Convention entered into force on 10 June 2016. This is a giant leap towards Finland becoming an inclusive society. You can see below pictures of Inclusion Europe member Inclusion Finland KVTL celebrating.

The States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal gratification of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The ratification of the Convention strengthens the status of the rights of persons with disabilities as legally binding and reinforces the duty of the state to promote these rights. The guiding principle of the Convention is the elimination of discrimination. The welcoming of the Optional Protocol future demonstrates Finland’s commitment to this inclusive initiative. The ratification requires changes to legislation; an independent framework will be created to promote, protect and monitor the implementation of the Convention at the national level.