20000324

NGOs for raising

demand at UN assembly

to hold moot

on disableds' rights

KARACHI: World leaders on disability have called upon all nations to raise an international convention on the rights of disabled at the forthcoming UN General Assembly.

These leaders representing Disabled Peoples International, Inclusion International, Rehabilitation International, World Blind Union and World Federation of the Deaf, attended the World NGO Summit on Disability hosted by China Disabled Persons Federation in Beijing from March 10-15, 2000 were unanimous that full inclusion of people with disabilities in society requires an international convention that legally ends nations to protect rights of people with disabilities in their respective countries.

They urged all heads of state and government, public administrators, local authorities, members of UN system, people with disabilities, civic organisations that participate in development process, and socially responsible private sector organisations to immediately initiate the process for an international convention.

The participants of the 6-day summit were urged to work towards adoption of such a convention, which should address, inter alia, improvement of overall quality of life of people with diverse disabilities, and their upliftment from deprivation, hardship and poverty, education, training, remunerative work and participation in decision-making process at all levels, elimination of discriminatory attitudes and practices, well as information, legal and infrastructure barriers, increased allocations of resources to ensure equal participation of people with disabilities. They also discussed steps to develop a strategy for the new century for full participation and equality of people with disabilities.

Fatima Mansuri, chairperson of Disabled Peoples International, Sindh Chapter, who attended the summit as a delegate from Pakistan, told newsmen here on Thursday on return from Beijing that during the six plenary session, deliberations centred on status of disabled around the world.

It was felt that though last two decades had seen increased awareness on disability issues, it was matter of "deep concern that various UN instruments and mandates adopted for advancement of people with disabilities had yet to create a significant impact on improving lives of people with disabilities in the world, especially women and girls, who remain the most invisible and marginalised of all disadvantaged social groups".

Mansuri said the declaration issued on conclusion of the summit emphasised that continued exclusion of people with disabilities from mainstream development process is a violation of fundamental rights and an indictment of humankind at the inception of the new century.

The inception of new century is opportune time for people with diverse disabilities and their organisations, and other civic bodies Ñ local and national governments, members of UN system and other inter-governmental bodies, as well as private sector, to collaborate closely in an inclusive and wide consultative process aimed at development for adoption of an international convention to promote and protect rights of people with disabilities and enhance equal opportunities for their participation in mainstream society.ÑPPI