WNUSP has a unique opportunity to influence the direction of human rights and disability for some time to come.  We are working alongside other international, regional and national disability organizations to advocate for an international human rights treaty (or “convention”) for people with disabilities.  Issues of concern to users and survivors, such as eliminating forced treatment and forced detention, access to genuine rehabilitation and recovery-based supports, access to peer support, de-pathologizing and non-discrimination, access to independent housing, employment and economic empowerment, are all part of the advocacy for the convention.  The principles of self-determination and self-representation, that we make our own decisions and speak for ourselves, are part of the core of disability advocacy.  Disability advocacy also demands a shift away from a medical model that diagnoses deficits in the individual and towards a social model that makes society accountable for providing supports and eliminating discrimination. 

 Much work has already taken place.  An “ad hoc committee” of the United Nations General Assembly has met twice to discuss proposals for the treaty.  WNUSP has participated actively in the ad hoc committee meetings and related meetings.  Now, the ad hoc committee has set up a working group to produce a draft treaty for the states to begin negotiating on next summer., at the ad hoc committee’s third meeting.  WNUSP, along with 11 other disability organizations, is represented on the working group.  For more information, see our convention resources page   . 

 We are very excited to be part of this historic moment and hope you will become involved. 

What you can do:

 Give us your feedback on how our advocacy is meeting your concerns or addressing your situation.  Feel free to mail the secretariat admin@wnusp.org or the working group representative, Tina Minkowitz,  tminkowitz@earthlink.net.

Advocate to your government in support of a strong human rights-based disability convention that includes people with psychiatric/psychosocial disabilities.

Join with national and regional disability organizations in this advocacy.  Make sure that user/survivor issues are included in national and regional advocacy on the convention.

Help us to publicize the convention in the user/survivor community.  One-page printable FAQs.

Use existing human rights treaties to advocate for user/survivor issues.  Get to know how the UN and regional human rights systems can be used and exchange the information through WNUSP with others who are interested.  Watch for and link up with human rights trainings provided to disability organizations. 

Advocate for participation in policymaking based on the UN Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (see especially Rule 17).

Use the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules to advocate for the right to refuse or accept treatment, and the right to not comply with admission to an institution (see paragraphs 27 and 33).