Civil and Human Rights Coalition Denounces Blocking of Treaty to Protect People with Disabilities

Washington, D.C. – Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD):

“Today’s blocking of the CRPD by Senate Republicans is contrary to our nation’s values and our role as a global leader in honoring the dignity of people with disabilities.

The CRPD seeks to ensure that countries across the globe provide people with disabilities the same rights as everyone else so that they may live full, satisfying, and productive lives.  The U.S. pioneered these basic principles under law and demonstrated that people with disabilities can be full participants in our democracy.  We must now lead once again by ratifying the treaty and encouraging all nations to join us in adopting disability-inclusive policies. 

We applaud Senator Durbin for bringing this treaty up for a vote and are dismayed that Senate Republicans have undermined what was once a strong, bipartisan consensus.

We are disappointed that Senate obstruction has interfered with this treaty and hope that when the Senate reconvenes in November, it will finally ratify the CRPD.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.