UN Convention "On the rights of persons with disabilities" and evolution of the Russian legislation

The article examines conformity of the Russian legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ratified by Russia in 2008. It shows that before the 2000s the Russian legislation and the practical experience in rehabilitation and integration of the disabled into society had a progressive character and was used by UN in elaboration of the Convention. Social reform in Russia launched in 2004 with the Federal Law No. 122-FZ, which is known as “the law on monetization of l’goty” (benefits), significantly reduced the previous legal and regulatory basis for social protection and employment of the disabled. Ratification of the UN Convention by Russia requires introduction of new mechanisms for ensuring the rights of the disabled and conditions for their social integration. The first steps in this direction were already made in 2009.