The usefulness of international treaties

International human rights treaties are essential to the Belgian Disability Forum (BDF) for four reasons:

1. They create moral obligations that Belgium undertakes to comply with

Belgium has ratified important international treaties, such as:

• • the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD),
  • the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR),
  • the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

By ratifying the UNCRPD, for example, Belgium has committed itself to protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. This enables the BDF to remind the Belgian government of its international obligations. This gives more weight to the BDF's positions and interpellations.

2. They strengthen national policy and ensure progress

International conventions serve as a lever to improve Belgian legislation and policy.

Examples:

• • accessibility must be systematically improved;
  • discrimination must be actively combated;
  • inclusion in education, work and mobility must be promoted.

The BDF refers to these treaties in order to:

• • influence new legislation,
  • highlight inadequate policies,
  • highlight inequalities.

3. They give persons with disabilities a voice at the international level.

The UNCRPD stipulates that organisations of persons with disabilities (such as the BDF) must be involved in policy-making ("Nothing about us without us").

International treaties:

• • >oblige the government to consult associations representing persons with disabilities,
  • recognise their role as experts,
  • ensure that the voice of organisations representing persons with disabilities is heard through procedures for monitoring their implementation.

4. They enable monitoring and reporting at international level

The BDF drafts alternative reports, carries out evaluations and monitors the recommendations that Belgium receives from international organisations. Through these actions, the BDF encourages Belgium to implement the conventions it has ratified, taking into account the expectations of persons with disabilities.