Sheikh Khalifa ratifies disability convention

A federal law has been issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the United Nations in 2006. The convention defines the roles governments should play to ensure the disabled have equal rights and accessibility, and that they do not face discrimination. The UAE became a signatory to the convention in February 2008. More than 140 countries have ratified it.

The new law instructs the Minister of Social Affairs to carry out the UN convention. Any provisions that are found to be in conflict with this new law will be suspended. The law takes immediate effect. * WAM