UNCPRD to protect rights of person with disabilities

Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar in her letter to Chief Minister of States has sought the implementation of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which comes into force from May 03.

She writes that the purpose of the convention is “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

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UNCRPD was signed by India on March 30, 2007 which marked India’s commitment towards the International Policy Framework for person with disabilities. India also became one of the few countries to have first ratified the convention on October 1, 2007 and later after ratifying it again on April 3, the convention will now come into force from May 3, 2008.

She mentioned Article 3 of the Convention in which eight guidelines are given to make persons with disabilities acceptable in the society.

• Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s own choices, and independence of persons
• Non-discrimination
• Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
• Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity
• Equality of opportunity
• Accessibility
• Equality between men and women
• Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities

Earlier in 1955, India also enacted Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act in 1995 an various other role to protect disabled persons.

The National Policy for Disabled People of 2006 widely discussed the goal of various human right concerns of person with disabilities and to encourage accessibility, autonomy and equality of opportunity for them. These steps taken by India will further facilitate accountability to the international community under the UNCRPD.

The guidelines will help State Governments, Rural and Urban Local Bodies, especially with regard to awareness-raising, accessibility, personal mobility, security, freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse, ability to live independently, education, health, rehabilitation, employment and ensuring adequate standard of living for persons with disabilities.