The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities South Africa ratified the Convention and the Optional Protocol on 30 November 2007. Furthermore, South Africa has also agreed to be a pilot country for implementing the international treaty into domestic legislation and practice. It has been noted that the Convention marked a major shift in the way societies view persons with disabilities, with the disabled person being the key decision-maker in his or her own life. The Convention makes persons with disabilities "rights holders" and "subjects of the law" with full participation in formulating and implementing plans and policies affecting them. While South Africa has committed to the treaty obligations with regards to the Convention it has not delivered on its initial country report in this regard. Given Parliament's oversight role on treaty compliance and public participation it was therefore essential for Parliament to host public hearings on South Africa's compliance with the Convention as the institution, through its oversight function, plays a key role in ensuring respect for the human rights of people with disabilities. 2. Objectives