While marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “IIMSAM joins in the celebrations of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities underlining the fundamental pillar that the right to work can be helpful in empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring to live independent and dignified lives as active members of the society”.
The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities. The Day provides an opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982.
The theme for 2009 is "Realizing the Millennium Development Goals for All: Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Their Communities around the World" is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by General Assembly in 1982. Speaking on theme Dr. Homoud appealed to all Government, celebrities, NGOs and other organizations of the world to come forward with their best participations to implement UN objectives of solving problems of disabled, physically and mentally retarded peoples across the continents in all its types and manifestations”
While reaffirming IIMSAM commitments to work on better life conditions for disabled persons Dr. Homoud contended “it is evident that worldwide, persons with disabilities are yet prone to discrimination, stigmatization, social exclusion and violation of their rights. This UN Convention is satisfying an imperative protection gap in international human rights law as it recognizes disability as a human rights issue and not only as welfare issues”. While commending efforts of UN in promoting and ensuring rights for disabled persons Dr. Homoud lauded the sincere and honest efforts of the UN and comprehended that United Nations has a long history of promoting the rights and well-being of all people, including persons with disabilities.
Stressing on the fact that disability is not confined to mere an issue of social welfare Dr. Homoud while addressing the media maintained that disability should not be seen as a matter of concern to the disabled persons and their entourage alone. Disability concerns the whole of society, in terms of the legislation, education and services which should be promoted if the disabled persons are to be fully integrated; the environment should be adapted to their needs whenever necessary. He further advocated “that governments must increase their efforts to ensure that children and adults with disabilities gain access to better medical care, which will help them to participate in the mainstream strata of the society”.
Dr. Homoud further contended that to ensure better life for persons with disabilities it is important that efforts should be channelized for securing employment opportunities for disabled persons. He pointed out that Article 27 of the convention recognizes the rights of persons with disabilities to work and employment on an equal basis with others but notwithstanding this fact almost in most countries up to 80 per cent of persons with disabilities of working age are unemployed. This situation is much catastrophic and governments must ensure that disabled persons should be employed accordingly so that they are included in mainstream society. Employment for disabled persons is a catalyst to shed their nervousness”
While extending his congratulations for the organizations and individuals who are working on noble task of bringing disabled people to mainstream Dr. Homoud added “It’s essential for all governments and organizations to work with the same spirit of partnership, to work in good faith with disabled people, their families and the disability community to implement the UN Convention, the recommendations of the various related reports, to ensure that rights of persons with disabilities are not jeopardized”
Answering a question on better implementation of UN MDG’s, Dr. Homoud said the Millennium Development Goals will be very difficult to be achieved if persons with disabilities are not included. Legislation alone will not ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy their human rights. For persons with disabilities, as for all persons, the denial of one right can lead to the denial of other rights and opportunities throughout their lives. The full participation of civil society, in particular persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, is essential for the proper functioning of a civil society. “This International Day for Persons with Disabilities is a time to make a renewed commitment to these principles of dignity and justice”. He added.
While pointing IIMSAM’s agenda under leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM on the matter Dr. Homoud said that IIMSAM is working on ensuing better life conditions for person with disabilities through various strategies. Dr. Homoud while giving call to governments for supporting IIMSAM said “we are leaving no stones unturned to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by using Spirulina and it is known that persons with disabilities are more prone to malnutrition and hunger and often their disabilities are directly attributed to malnutrition. IIMSAM is committed to accomplish its mandates and to ensure a world free of hunger and malnutrition thus extending its wings to persons with disabilities. We are committed to work for better life conditions for persons with disabilities and on the same hand we are also dedicated to take care of our young generation that they do not fell prey to disabilities just because of malnutrition.
