Statistics and the CRPD

Some with strong objections to of the ratification of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) predict dire consequences if ratification occurs. Here are three examples:

• Article 7, the Best Interests of the Child (see an earlier blog post: http://www.wecandothisifwetry.blogspot.com/2013_08_11_archive.html), will take away parents’ rights to home school their children.

• Article 18, which requires the registration of children with disabilities, will result in intrusive, governmental tracking and control.

• Article 25, which requires that persons with disabilities have access to health services, including reproductive health services, to the extent that people without disabilities do, will create new abortion rights (see earlier blog post: http://www.wecandothisifwetry.blogspot.com/2013/08/0-false-18-pt-18-pt-0-0-false-false_27.html).

If these dire consequences are so likely, following ratification, how have they affected ratification prospects in other countries? Let’s consider three questions. Of other countries, which have ratified the CRPD –

• How many permit home schooling?  

• How many register children as a matter of national policy?

• How many prohibit abortion?

I would assume that the number of countries that permit home schooling and ratified the CRPD would be few. This was not the case. Of the 133 countries, which have ratified the CRPD, 47 of these countries permit home schooling. Another seven countries, which have not made home schooling legal, but allow parents to do it, have also ratified the CRPD. These 54 countries do not seem concerned about Article 7 of the CRPD. What do they know that we don’t?

We have two forms of registry in the U.S. Every child’s birth must be recorded. And, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children participating in early intervention programs (birth through 2) and other educational programs are registered.  According to UNICEF, sixty-one of the 133 countries, which have ratified the CRPD, register the births of more than 75 percent of children under 5 years of age in urban areas. Many countries register such births in rural areas, but the number is lower. These countries do not seem concerned about Article 18 of the CRPD. What do they know that we don’t?

Finally, the number of countries, which have ratified the CRPD and ban abortion, is even higher. The number is 66. These countries do not seem concerned about Article 25 of the CRPD. What do they know that we don’t?

I would hope we could find a way to resolve concerns of opponents of the CRPD on these three issues. If so many other countries have overcome concerns, we certainly can.

Thank you.

Common Grounder