National Assembly adopted the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities
The National Assembly adopted the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities today. On behalf of the Member in-charge of the Convention, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, the Health Minister moved the motion for the adoption. She emphasized that the reservation made on the Convention should not be miscontrued as not supporting the persons with disabilities but to provide policy space for the government in keeping with the socio-economic development situation of the country. However, she informed that numerous developmental activties were being initiated and implemented in support of the person with disabilities.
The House adopted the Convention with 41 voting in favour and 1 Abstaining out of 42 members present and voting. The Convention was adopted with four reservations i.e Article 18 on Liberty of Movement and nationality section 1(a) and 2; Article 23 on Respect for home and family section 1(b); Article 27 on Work and Employment section 1(c) and Article 29 on Participation in political and public life section (a) (ii).
The Convention is aimed to promote and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities. The convention covers a number of key areas such as accessibility, participation, equality, employment, education and training, social protection and health. The Convention marks a shift in thinking about disability from a social welfare perspective to a human rights based approach. It is a comprehensive human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. As of date, there are 173 State Parties to the Convention.
The Convention will be transmitted to the National Council for deliberation.
