Ireland finally ratifies the UN CRPD

Ireland has finally ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 11 years after signing it. This makes Ireland the final country in the EU to pass the UN CRPD. Mental Health Europe welcomes the long-awaited ratification as it will help improve the lives of persons with disabilities – including psychosocial disabilities – in Ireland and Europe.

What does this mean in practice?

Now that Ireland has ratified the Convention, this means the EU fully commit to the CRPD as a Party because all 28 Member States have now ratified the Convention and are bound to the CRPD by international law, which means that they are committed to jointly protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

MHE is however concerned that Ireland has entered several reservations and declarations regarding articles 12 (legal capacity), 14 (liberty and security) and 27 (right to work) of the CRPD. These articles are not only at the core of the CRPD, but they are crucial for people with psychosocial disabilities to fully enjoy their rights.

Find out more about MHE’s work on the UN CRPD HERE

Watch our videos on articles 12 and 27 HERE and HERE

Read the European Disability Forum’s press release following the ratification of the UN CRPD by Ireland HERE