• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About DNS
  • Subscribe to DNS
  • Advertise with DNS
  • Support DNS
  • Contact DNS

Disability News Service

the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues

  • Home
  • Independent Living
    • Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Housing
    • Transport
  • Activism & Campaigning
  • Benefits & Poverty
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
You are here: Home / Politics / ELECTION 2015: UKIP refuses to back right to life, mobility, freedom from torture…
Star Anderton head and shoulders

ELECTION 2015: UKIP refuses to back right to life, mobility, freedom from torture…

By John Pring on 1st May 2015 Category: Politics

Listen

UKIP has refused to back key parts of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), including disabled people’s right to life, and their right to freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse.

The UKIP manifesto says the party supports article 19 of the convention, which outlines the “equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others”.

But the party’s disability spokeswoman, Star Etheridge (pictured), herself a wheelchair-user, this week refused to say whether UKIP backs any part of the convention other than article 19.

These other articles include key rights such as the right to personal mobility; the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the right to access to justice.

Other rights that UKIP has been unable to support include the right to respect for privacy; and the right to liberty of movement and nationality.

Following attempts last week to clarify the party’s position, DNS has this week contacted Etheridge several more times, as well as asking the party’s press office to comment.

Etheridge, who is standing for election in Wolverhampton North East, told DNS on Twitter this week: “It’s simple, we support article 19, is that not good enough? It’s a UN Convention more important than EU!”

When asked again whether UKIP supported any articles except 19, she tweeted: “I’ve told you it’s on the manifesto that is what we’ve said & that’s the end of it. It’s in written there for all to see.”

Neither Etheridge nor the UKIP press office would comment further.

Linda Burnip, a member of the steering group of Disabled People Against Cuts, said she had “no idea” whether UKIP supported any UNCRPD articles apart from article 19 because they had “persistently refused to answer that question”.

She said: “It serves to reinforce our views that UKIP are not serious about supporting disabled people’s human rights.”

Share this post:

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on RedditShare on LinkedIn

Tags: DPAC election 2015 Star Etheridge UKIP UNCRPD

A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Related

‘Disastrous’ cuts bill that leaves legacy of distrust and distress ‘must be dropped’
3rd July 2025
Disabled activists warn Labour MPs who vote for cuts: ‘The gloves will be off’
3rd July 2025
This bill opens the door to scandal, abuse and injustice, disabled activists say after assisted dying bill vote
26th June 2025

Primary Sidebar

On the left of the image are multiple heads of different colours - white, aqua, red, light brown, and dark green - all grouped together, then the words ‘Campaign for Disability Justice. Sign up to support. #OpportunitySecurityRespect’
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Access

Latest Stories

‘Disastrous’ cuts bill that leaves legacy of distrust and distress ‘must be dropped’

Four disabled Labour MPs stand up to government over cuts to disability benefits

Silence from MP sister of Rachel Reeves over suicide linked to PIP flaws, just as government was seeking cuts

Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, Covid inquiry hears

Disabled activists warn Labour MPs who vote for cuts: ‘The gloves will be off’

GB News says it has nothing to apologise for, after guest suggests starving disabled benefit claimants

SEND inspections find services in just one in four areas usually lead to ‘positive’ outcomes for disabled children

Disabled MP who quit government over benefit cuts tells DNS: ‘The consequences will be devastating’

Disabled peers plan to ‘amend, amend, amend, amend, amend’ after assisted dying bill reaches Lords

Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims

Advice and Information

Readspeaker
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Footer

The International Standard Serial Number for Disability News Service is: ISSN 2398-8924

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site map
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 Disability News Service

Site development by A Bright Clear Web