MOU ON DISABILITY SIGNED COOPERATION BETWEEN NHRC, CHRC AND IGNOU

The National Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Indira Gandhi National Open University have decided to take up jointly a project on the rights of the disabled. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed here today.

The project seeks to build capacity of legal practioners, disability rights and human rights activists to address problems of discrimination, marginalization and exclusion of persons with disability. This collaborative initiative would produce Manuals, Guidelines and Reference Materials in easy-to-use language. The documents evolved under this Project would clarify application of international and national laws and their logical application to the human rights of persons with disability.

The endeavour is to introduce training modules through face-to-face and through distance education mode so that people committed to the rights of the disabled have the freedom of enhancing their knowledge and awareness to play a more effective role in the promotion and protection of human rights of persons with disabilities.

The ultimate objective is to incorporate a disability rights perspective in the education of lawyers, judges and social workers. This would ensure the building up of a cadre of disability sensitive professionals and activists.

The Project seeks to build capacity through internship programmes and development of a disability strategy. Under this project, the NHRC, the CHRC and the IGNOU have agreed to exchange expertise, information and documentation for raising the awareness about human rights of persons with disability, improve the technical and project management capabilities of both the Commissions. Under the component of raising awareness about human rights of persons with disability, the activities include design of training programmes, preparation of training materials, training, out-reach and organization of a national conference.

It is proposed to develop three Manuals for legal practioners, academics and disability rights activists. The first Manual seeks to explore the domestic legal framework with a view to establish its relevance for persons with disabilities. The second Manual deals with the complaints and redressal mechanisms available for the disabled under the domestic laws. The third Manual would serve as a step-wise guide on international norms and standards including reporting and remedial procedures available under various international human rights instruments.

Thus, the Project seeks to develop resource material for training programmes, reference materials in universities and law schools and educational materials for ngos and other organizations.

The National Human Rights Commission and the Indira Gandhi National Open University signed the Memorandum of Understanding at a simple ceremony in New Delhi today, paving the way for cooperation in disability matters. The MOU was signed by the Secretary General of the NHRC, Mr. P.S.S. Thomas and the Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, Prof. H.P. Dikshit, in the presence of the Chairperson, NHRC, Dr. Justice A.S. Anand and Members of the Commission, Justice Smt. Sujata V. Manohar and Mr. Virendra Dayal. It will now be sent to the Canadian Human Rights Commission for the signature of their Secretary General on that document.

Both the Commissions will jointly manage the project. They will co-chair the Project Advisory Committee. The Indira Gandhi National Open University will be the Nodal Agency for executing the project. In that capacity, it will receive, disburse and manage funds as indicated by the Canadian and Indian Human Rights Commissions. Smt. Anuradha Mohit, Special Rapporteur, NHRC is the Chief Coordinator of this project.