4 Conclusion
81. We welcome the progress the Government has made
in meeting its own revised deadline to ratify by spring 2009.
Ratification of the Convention - the first major human rights
treaty of the twenty-first century - will send a strong message
to disabled people in the UK and around the world that the UK
acknowledges that they are entitled to treatment without discrimination
and the equal enjoyment of the fundamental human rights enjoyed
by us all. If the Government cannot be persuaded that reservations
or interpretative declarations are unnecessary, ratification should
take priority over lengthy and futile discussions which would
only serve to delay the participation of the United Kingdom in
this important international agreement.
82. We reiterate our disappointment that that there
has been insufficient consultation on the Government's proposals
for reservations and an interpretative declaration, particularly
given the limited opportunity for Parliament to influence the
ratification process. We urge the Government to listen to the
views being expressed about the reservations and interpretative
declaration and accept that two of their proposed reservations
are unnecessary or incompatible with the object and purpose of
the Convention.
83. We are concerned that the Government's approach
some of its proposed reservations has been unduly cautious and
may detract from the positive role which the United Kingdom has
so far played in the adoption and promotion of the Convention.
84. We will keep compliance with the Convention
under review and will continue to challenge the necessity and
desirability of any reservations and interpretative declarations
lodged on ratification. We look forward to the day when the reservations
and interpretative declaration can be withdrawn.
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