UN disability rights treaty opened for signature News
UN disability rights treaty opened for signature

[JURIST] A ground-breaking UN disabilities rights treaty [JURIST news archive] opened for signature [UN press release] Friday. The treaty would protect the 650 million persons living with disabilities worldwide [UN fact sheet] and is expected to be signed by more than 70 countries. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [official website; text] holds that all disabled people should be treated as full-fledged citizens and completely integrated into society. To come into force the Convention requires 20 state parties or countries to ratify the pact. Jamaica is set to be the first country to ratify the treaty, expected to pass by the end of 2007.

The treaty also includes an Optional Protocol [Protocol text], which is expected to be signed by 40 countries. The Protocol grants individuals the right to petition a committee of experts for violations of the Convention after all national procedures have been exhausted. UN News Centre has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Hitler and Nazis attempt failed coup in Beer Hall Putsch

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party attempted an ill-faited coup in Munich, Germany on November 8, 1923. Instead of seizing power, the conspirators suffered 15 casualties and their leaders were arrested, including Hitler. The future dictator would spend a year in prison as a result, where he would write his infamous Mein Kampf. Learn more about the Beer Hall Putsch.

Oregon legalized physician-assisted suicide

On November 8, 1994, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act by voter initiative, becoming the first US state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Read the Death With Dignity Act,

France government opens the Louvre as a public museum

On November 8, 1793, the revolutionary government in France opened the Louvre for the first time as a public museum. Learn more about the history of the Louvre.