DUSHANBE, December 3, 2012, Asia-Plus -- On Monday December 3, a group of Tajik NGOs has released an appeal to the Tajik government on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

In their appeal, the NGOs, in particular, call on the Tajik authorities to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Thereby, the government will recognize persons with disabilities as equal and full members of society, the appeal said.

Considerable positive changes have reportedly taken place in the field of observance of the rights of PWDs in Tajikistan in recent years:  in December 2010, Tajikistan adopted a new law on social protection of persons with disabilities; the national concept of inclusive education for children with disabilities designed for 2011-2015 have been endorsed; in December 2011, the government approved the rules of providing PWDs with treatment at a health resort and the rules of providing PWDs with technical rehabilitation means, etc.

Tajikistan has ratified practically the all package of the UN international and legal agreements in the field of human rights, and thereby, it has demonstrated its adherence to observance of human rights and only the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities remains unsigned and not ratified, the appeal says.

Among the CIS nations only Tajikistan and Belarus have not yet signed the UN convention on the rights of PWDs.

Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law (BHR), Dushanbe Society of Persons with Disabilities, League of Women with Disabilities “Ishtirok,” Public Association “Chashmai Ehson,” Public Association “Parents of Children with Disabilities,” and Handicap International have signed the appeal.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights instrument of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.  Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law.

The text was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 13, 2006, and opened for signature on March 30, 2007.  Following ratification by the 20th party, it came into force on May 3, 2008.  As of December 2012, it has 154 signatories and 126 parties, including the European Union (which ratified it to the extent responsibilities of the member states were transferred to the European Union) on December 23, 2010.  The Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

International Day of People with Disability (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.  It has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.  It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.  It was originally called “International Day of Disabled Persons.”

Each year the day focuses on a different issue.  The theme for this year is “Removing Barrier to Create and Inclusive and Accessible Society for All.”