General News
Fiji to ratify the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities
SUVA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2013 (MINFO) --- Fiji will soon ratify the United Nationsโ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP).
The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) executive Director Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa said that the recent review of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP Act 1994) and the drafting of Disability Decree 2013 is a milestone achievement for Fiji. He said the strengthening of the legislative framework will enable Fiji to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons Living with Disabilities.
โThe completion of review of FNCDP Act and draft Decree on Disability will be a boost in terms of providing an inclusive and enabling environment for the persons living with disability. It will give persons with disability more powers to exercise their rights to live dignified and productive lives.
โThe Council also looks forward to ratifying of the Convention this year. Fiji signed to CRPD on 2nd June 2010 and for next year the Council also hopes to get the endorsement for Biwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF). The BMF +5 reinforces a rights based approach to disability issues by recognising the importance of the Convention,โ Dr Yanuyanutawa said.
He said that the Convention and the BMF will pursue a common goal of achieving an inclusive and rights-based society for persons living with disabilities.
โSteps taken by the State to ratify the CRPD, will contribute towards the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action. According to the 2009 National Baseline Survey called โMaking women with disability visibleโ there are a total of 11,402 persons with disability in Fiji of which 54% are males and 46% are females.
โThe government provides monthly social welfare assistance to persons living with disabilities, they are also able to travel through buses for free and also get 20 percent concession on taxi fares for the first 20 kilometers travelled.
โAccording to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the proper name to describe the disabled persons is called PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. Through the ratification of the Convention there will more opportunities to provide a barrier free and inclusive society for all persons with disabilities in Fiji,โ Dr Yanuyanutawa added.
The โBiwako Millennium Framework for Action (BMF) was adopted in Otsu City, Shiga, Japan by 28 Governments at the โHigh Level Intergovernmental Meeting to Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Personsโ in October 2002.
The Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni said that Government is already putting in mechanisms that promote the rights of disabled persons in the country.
โThe disabled persons of Fiji will feature strongly in our Annual Corporate Plan (2014) as there are great strides done already to see the new disability decree this year. Likewise Fiji will ratify the Convention of the Rights of the Disables Persons soon and that is a new markingโ, Minister Luveni said.
โThe stimulus for the support driven approach for the disabled persons is really welcoming to all. The Ministry in partnership with all the relevant stakeholders should prescribe action areas for delivery and oversight next yearโ. ...PACNEWS
Additional Information
Country: Fiji
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Source: Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT)
When: 01/10/2013
