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The Finnish Parliament on Tuesday approved the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – with one caveat. The treaty was originally signed by Matti Vanhanen’s government back in early 2007, a few months after being adopted by the UN General Assembly.

However Parliament stipulated that wording on the rights to self-determination of people with disabilities must be written into Finnish law before the convention can finally be ratified. Otherwise Finland’s national legislation could be at odds with one article of the UN document.

As a result, the treaty will not be ratified before the end of this legislative period as the government had hoped. The final step will likely be put off until next autumn. Each country's ratification of the convention formally takes effect 30 days after it is submitted to the UN Secretary General.

Ratification next autumn

Finland is one of the last European countries to ratify the pact, with only Iceland, Ireland and the Netherlands yet to complete the process. There are a few other signatories that have not ratified the document, including the United States, North Korea and Uzbekistan.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja welcomed the Parliamentary decision, calling it a “strong political message” and “an extremely positive step” in advancing the human rights of those with disabilities.

The treaty aims to guarantee the full human rights of such individuals, prevent discrimination and boost accessibility. An official body must be named to enforce the treaty’s provisions in Finland and a system set up to coordinate their realisation.