New Delhi, January 14th, 2011

The Commonwealth Secretariat organised a seminar on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Commonwealth in coordination with the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi today. Inaugurating the day long Seminar the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mr. Mukul Wasnik said that the Government of India is committed to looking into the issues and concerns of the persons with disabilities and also giving thrust to provide accessible and barrier free environment for persons with disabilities through various schemes and programmes. He said that the Government fully supports the need to shift the attitudes in the way people with disability are viewed and treated, and to focus on disability as a rights issue.

On the occasion Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that the Commission has recommended to the Government that there is a need to amend the existing legislation for persons with disabilities. The new Act should be in harmony with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the definition of disability should be inclusive and conform to the human rights based model. Justice Balakrishnan said the Commission favours not only amendments in the present disability legislation but also mainstream laws which affect rights of persons with disabilities.

Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, NHRC said that "India is amongst the countries which ratified the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) as early as in 2007 itself. The Constitutional, legal and policy environment in India together with progressive interpretation with legislative enactment on disability have led to offer us a huge advantage for implementing this convention." However, he said there is need to explore more to provide assistive tools to the persons with disability covering all aspect of impairment.

Speaking in the inaugural session Dr. Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights, Commonwealth Secretariat, said that "10% of world population consists of people with disabilities, an estimated total of 650 million; but they constitute 20% of the worlds poor. Discrimination and marginalisation scar the lives of many who have disabilities…." In short, the humanity of people with disabilities remains fully to be recognized and we have yet to help to create a world where they enjoy dignity.

Mr. Shuaib Chalklen, UN Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development said that one of the key challenges that confront many countries is raising awareness, especially in remote areas and called on Human Rights Commissions to raise awareness on the rights of people with disabilities in society.

Given below is a summary of the recommendations:

1. Increased ratification of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
2. Improved role and voice for disabled people in shaping initiatives;
3. Specially addressing areas of employment and education;
4. Strengthening of advocacy network.

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