The ratification of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would come as a privilege to more than 12,000 disabled persons in Fiji, says Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa.

The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons executive director was making submissions on the convention before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence at the Parliament complex yesterday.

Dr Yanuyanutawa said FNCDP and its 34 affiliates around the country were deeply delighted to present their views on UNCRPD.

“The Convention was basically the ‘game changer’ on disability services in Fiji when our beloved nation signed it on June 2, 2010,” he said.

“We at FNCDP felt that the UNCPRD being the first UN Convention to come into force in the 21st Century was a blessing to all persons with disabilities and their carers not only in Fiji by upholding their rights in whatever environment that they live in.”

Dr Yanuyanutawa said salient features of the convention (articles 5-31) which provided the backbone of this document basically elevates the status persons with disabilities living in Fiji by upholding their rights in whatever environment that they live in.

“It will be a privilege to FNCDP, its secretariat and its Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, affiliates and more than 12,000 persons with disabilities living in Fiji to witness the process of the ratification of the UNCRPD,” he said.

Dr Yanuyanutawa said   they looked forward to the passing of 2016 Disability Bill that was before Parliament.

Dr Yanuyanutawa said they hoped their positive submissions on UNCRPD would be endorsed to give disability care in Fiji a sense of direction which upheld their rights and definitely improved their livelihoods.

Peter Waqavonovono of SODELPA made submissions on the convention saying the convention sets out human right issues in the context of disability.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

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