THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

115

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the State to adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities AND THE UNITED STATES SENATE TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION.

 

 


     WHEREAS, Hawaii is a leader in human rights in the United States recognizing the inherent dignity of its citizens and enacting laws that live up to our history as a model state; and

 

     WHEREAS, the people of Hawaii understand that it is important to be aware of developments in world affairs as they relate to our citizens; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the text of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on December 13, 2008, and following ratification by the twentieth party, it came into force on May 3, 2008; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities; and

 

     WHEREAS, parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Convention has served as the major catalyst in the global movement from viewing persons with disabilities as objects of charity, medical treatment, and social protection toward viewing them as full and equal members of society, with human rights; and

 

     WHEREAS, President Obama signed the Convention in 2009, but it fell short of a two-thirds majority of the United States Senate needed for ratification; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State recognizes it is important to continue efforts alongside fellow nations toward the full realization of human rights for all; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the State is urged to adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body urges the United States Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to United Nations Secretary General, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, President of the United States, President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, United States Secretary of State, and members of Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities