NEW DELHI: Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar has written to all Chief Ministers bringing to their notice the provisions of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urging suitable action by the administrative bodies in regard to raising awareness, accessibility, personal mobility, and security.
‘Ensure freedom’
She has also asked the States to ensure freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse, ability to live independently, education, health, rehabilitation, employment and ensuring adequate standard of living for persons with disabilities.
The Convention, which came into effect on Saturday, was evolved after international consensus on the subject. It was signed by India on March 30, 2007. In so doing, India reaffirmed its commitment towards the International Policy Framework in respect of the persons with disabilities.
Subsequently, India was also among the first countries to ratify the Convention on October 1, 2007 and with the 20th ratification happening on April 3, 2008, the Convention came into force one month later. The purpose of the Convention is “to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.”
India has enacted the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995 and certain other laws, and has taken certain other institution-building measures for persons with disabilities.
Also the National Policy for Disabled People, adopted in 2006, comprehensively spelt out the goals towards full acknowledgement and exercise of all human rights of persons with disabilities as well as promoting a broad commitment to accessibility, autonomy and equality of opportunity for them.
-The Hindu
Special Correspondent
Monday, May 05, 2008
Special Correspondent
Monday, May 05, 2008
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