Meira Kumar Requests Union Ministers to Ensure 'Due Rights to Persons With Disabilities'.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar has requested all Union Ministers to ensure all due rights to persons with disabilities.

In a letter to the Ministers Kumar referred to the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and suggested to implement through their subordinate offices, and autonomous organizations.

These provisions are concerned with Article 9 (dealing with accessibility), Article 21 (freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information) and Article 27 (work and employment).

Regarding other important articles concerned with individual Ministries of Civil Aviation, Railways, and Shipping, Road Transport and Highways have been requested to take action on Article 20 (dealing with personal mobility).

Ministries of Human Resource Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Women and Child Development have been requested to implement the provisions of Articles 24 (Education), Article 25 (Health) and six and seven (Women and Children with disabilities), respectively.

India signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on March 30, 2007, the day it opened for signature.

India was also among the first countries to ratify it on October 1st, 2007. The Convention has come into force from May 3rd, 2008.

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".

Article 3 of the Convention enumerates the eight guiding principles and Article 4 lays down the General Obligations.

Meira Kumar had earlier written to all Chief Ministers, on the day the Convention came into effect, to take suitable action by State Governments and local bodies.

Source-ANI
SPH