Mexican Initiative for the Drawing Up of a United Nations International Convention for the Promotion and Protection of the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Berenice Díaz Ceballos’ essay traces the progress that has been made vis-à-vis the protection of persons with disabilities within the framework of the United Nations, from initial efforts that took the form of a series of initiatives and declarations adopted in the seventies right through to the recent approval of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an initiative presented by Mexico in 2001. This Convention is the first international instrument that recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities and identifies the actions that need to be taken to eliminate the discriminatory practices that have prevented persons with disabilities from exercising their rights, which have now been formally recognized. The author describes the difficulties encountered during attempts to set up a Special Committee and the process that resulted in the consolidation of this prestigious Mexican initiative. She concludes her essay with an analysis of the legislative and public policy measures Mexico has introduced since the nineties and notes that, while an international legislative instrument is now at our disposal, it is essential that the states party enforce the Convention via the implementation of non-discriminatory educational initiatives, the amendment of existing legislation, training, greater budget allowances and the raising of awareness in general. Naturally, these efforts must go hand-in-hand with the political will to bring about the cultural changes required within society, so that human rights can be given their rightful place in the struggle to achieve peace and development.