Objectives The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a landmark international treaty which embeds the human rights of people with disabilities, including mental disabilities, into international law. We aim to demonstrate the relevance of the CRPD for the protection of human rights of people with mental illness in France. We begin with a broad overview of its development and implementation at the level of the international community, and then describe the situation in France.

Conclusion Ratification of the CRPD by France in 2010 reflected the increasing recognition of human rights of people with disabilities. To date, the CRPD has inspired several initiatives in the field of mental health in France. As it is at the international level, in France, there remains significant room for advancement; particularly concerning the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights, in addition to that of civil and political rights. Full realization of the principles of the CRPD requires input from all sectors of government and the whole of the community.