Statements and Speeches by Ministry Representatives 2005

General Assembly, 60th Session, Third Committee, Item 71 Human Rights Questions (The Rights of People with Disabilities)

Statement by the New Zealand Representative, Andrew Begg, Monday 31 October 2005

Mr Chairman

We have before us decisions that have a direct bearing on the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the ten per cent of the world’s population that has a disability of one kind or another.

Continuing failure to apply the provisions of existing international human rights instruments to persons with disabilities has highlighted the imperative for a dedicated Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Swift adoption of this Convention – followed by prompt and faithful implementation - will see the international community go some way toward making good its neglect of this diverse and marginalised group.

Mr Chairman, New Zealand considers that early adoption of this Convention is well within our reach. The work of the Ad Hoc Committee on Disabilities is proceeding on a solid foundation of goodwill, partnership between government and civil society, and a real desire to effect change. The candid and informative contributions of civil society have been invaluable in opening our eyes and reaffirming why our task is so crucial.

The Chair’s text is now available on the United Nations’ Enable website. It is essential that the Ad Hoc Committee strive to complete a full reading of that text at its January meeting. That would allow the Committee as a whole to obtain, for the first time, a complete overview of the draft convention. This is a necessary step if we are to conclude negotiations in a reasonable timeframe.

A three-week meeting in January is necessary if we are to complete a full reading of the text at a measured pace and without rushing. We recognise that this is not a perfect option, and that it will put delegations under pressure. We will also feel the strain. It will, however, allow for significant progress to be made, and we believe that it will shorten the length of the negotiations overall. That is a vital aim, both because of the urgency with which this convention is needed, and also because many of us cannot continue to devote such considerable resources to the negotiations indefinitely. We would urge all delegations to support a three-week meeting.

My delegation must stress, however, that we are not seeking to unduly rush the process. While we are all aiming for early adoption of this Convention, we must ensure that we do not perpetuate disparity by compromising on its quality, or inadvertently undermining the existing rights of persons with disabilities. We therefore commit ourselves to concluding the negotiations, not just with urgency, but with ‘careful’ urgency.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

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