ECLJ to take part in United Nations Committee on Disability Convention Talks at UN Headquarters in August

August 16, 2006

(Manhattan, New York)- The European Centre for Law and Justice announced today that it will take part in the eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.

ECLJ has been working with the Slovak Ministry of Labor and the Slovaks with Disabilities Council leading up to the conference and has worked to establish links between high level Slovak officials and several delegations to the Convention talks. ECLJ has major concerns regarding two articles of the thirty three article document, which push for access to abortion services and gender mainstreaming in the area of disability. The Centre feels that the addition of these provisions not only takes all of the credibility away from a very worthwhile document, but also sets a dangerous precedent in setting up these rights as part of customary international law and global culture.

ECLJ will provide regular updates from New York regarding the status of the talks.