Forum welcomes UN Convention
PRESS STATEMENT
Thursday 21 December 2006 Forum welcomes UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The Pacific Islands Forum has welcomed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, passed by the General Assembly last week. Acting Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat, Mr Iosefa Maiava, says persons with disabilities in Pacific Island countries are among the poorest and most marginalised members of their communities. Mr Maiava notes that disability may limit access to education and employment and other basic social services, leading to economic and social exclusion, while disabled people and their families face prejudice, discrimination and rejection. “Many face social, attitudinal and physical barriers every day in the forms of direct and indirect discrimination,” he says. “This Convention will be of considerable value and relevance to people of the Pacific.” The Convention was passed by the UN General Assembly on 13th December 2006. The UN has called on its 192 member states to ratify the convention, which enshrines the rights of people with disabilities to participate in economic, political, social and cultural life. Says Forum Secretariat Social Policy Adviser, Dr Helen Tavola: “Like other UN conventions, such as the Convention for the Rights of the Child and CEDAW, it will be legally binding in terms of compliance and its implementation will be monitored and evaluated.” Dr Tavola explains that Forum Leaders acknowledged the importance of addressing the issue of disability in the Pacific at their 2003 Leaders’ Meeting, where they endorsed the Biwako Millennium Framework for action. “Signing and ratifying the new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would strengthen commitment to improving the lives of Pacific Islanders who live with disabilities,” says Dr Tavola. “The Framework provides a set of goals for Pacific Island countries to work toward over the next ten years to support their citizens with disabilities.” Dr Tavola adds: “Leaders acknowledged that immediate priorities for Pacific governments should be to encourage policies that dismantle barriers and improve access and coordination for people living with disabilities.” Disability is also included in the Pacific Plan, which identifies a range of initiatives to be addressed, including the ratification and implementation of rights-based international and regional conventions and agreements. According to Dr Tavola, research on Forum island countries indicates a general lack of legislation and services for people with physical and mental disabilities. The population of persons with disabilities around the world is estimated at 5-10% of any country’s population, which equally applies to the Pacific. (Ends) |
2006