The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The United Nations Convention aimed to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
There are 173 State Parties to the Convention, and Bhutan is the only SAARC country, and among a few countries in the world, that has not ratified the Convention. However, Bhutan recognizes the rights of its disabled as it moves to ratify UNCRPD.
The UNCRPD contains 50 Articles, of which the Convention contains 26 Articles covering all aspects of life, from Health, Education and Employment to Equal Recognition before the Law, Freedom from Exploitation, Violence and Abuse, and Accessibility.
The Convention also recognizes that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination and concerning children with disabilities. In this regard, they will take appropriate measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and empowerment of women.
It will take all necessary measures to ensure the full enjoyment by children with disabilities and ensure that children with disabilities have the right to express their views freely on all matters affecting them, their views being given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity, on an equal basis with other children, and to be provided with disability and age-appropriate assistance to realize that right.
The Convention allows people with disabilities to have the freedom to make their own choices, including non-discrimination, indulgence in full participation and inclusion in society, respect for differences and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity.
It will provide equal opportunity, and accessibility by identifying and eliminating obstacles and barriers to accessibility. Provide equality between men and women. All persons are equal before and under the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law.
State Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education, ensuring an inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning. In order to help, the States Parties will take appropriate measures to employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified in sign language and/or Braille, and to train professionals and staff who work at all levels of education.
State Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and open working environment, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.
It shall safeguard and promote the realization of the right to work, including for those who acquire a disability during the course of employment, by taking appropriate steps, including through legislation.
State Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.
The Convention also guarantees persons with disabilities, political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others. It ensures that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others, directly or through freely chosen representatives, including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and be elected.
Meanwhile, with the approval of the House to deliberate on the Convention, the Convention was referred to the Women, Children and Youth Committee for further review and was directed to report back to the House on 13th June for Third Reading. The Speaker advised the committee to carefully dissect the four reservations submitted by the government.
UNCRPD was introduced to the House yesterday by the Member In-Charge of the Convention, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
