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December 05, 2008
UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities-Rehabilitation International
We have received the press release from Venus Ilagan, RI Secretary General, former participant of Leaders' course.
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Dear members,
It is marking the first UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities since the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol. This is a special year, since we also celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
The press release has been sent today to media contacts, which we hope you will use to raise awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and urge States to follow up with their commitment to the disability community worldwide. Please feel free to modify the press release for your own organization, to increase our media outreach and public awareness of disability rights and inclusion.
We would be very grateful if you could share with us any media articles, photos or information on events commemorating December 3 in your country.
Best regards,
Anne Hawker, RI President
Venus Ilagan, RI Secretary General
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On International Disability Day, Emphasis is on Universality of Human Rights
Global Disability Network Calls on Governments to Take All Steps to Implement Disability Rights
(United Nations, New York, 3 December 2008): Today marks the first UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities since the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol on May 3, 2008. This year’s theme “Dignity and justice for all of us” is linked with the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, emphasizing the universal nature of disability rights and the need to include the disability perspective within the human rights agenda.
“Given that at least 10% of the world’s population – even more in developing countries – lives with a disability, today draws attention to the rights of persons with disabilities and the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect. We must continue to work together to ensure that persons with disabilities are treated as equals in society and are fully included in the community,” said Venus Ilagan, RI Secretary General.
To date, more than half of the world has signed the CRPD and its Optional Protocol and over 40 countries have ratified the treaty into national law; reflecting the broad commitment of governments to disability rights. RI continues to urge all countries to ratify the CRPD and the Optional Protocol as soon as possible and without reservations and declarations – and calls on States to undertake the necessary efforts to comprehensively implement the Convention.
RI President Anne Hawker noted, “The important factor now, however, is how well States implement the rights in the CRPD through the development of effective laws, policies, programs and action plans, to bring about real change in the lives and communities of persons with disabilities.”
At its first meeting last month, the Conference of State Parties elected the 12 members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—nine of whom are persons with disabilities – who are charged with monitoring and evaluating States’ implementation of the Convention. The CRPD, the first human rights treaty of the 21st century, represents an important legal instrument prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities in all areas of life, and includes specific provisions related to rehabilitation, habilitation, education, employment, health and access to information, public facilities and services. The Optional Protocol concerns how individuals or groups can seek redress for violations of the CRPD once national remedies are exhausted.
For more information on the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities and a complete, up-to-date list of signatories and ratifications, please visit: http://www.un.org/disabilities.
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About RI
Founded in 1922, Rehabilitation International (RI) is a diverse, global network of experts, professionals and advocates working together to advance the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. RI is currently composed of over 1000 members and affiliated organizations in 93 nations, in all regions of the world. For more information about RI, please visit our accessible website: http://www.riglobal.org
Posted by jicafriends at December 5, 2008 11:07 AM