Government’s motion to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has received strong positive feedback from the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation.

Federation office manager, Lanieta Tuimaba, said they were delighted about the ratification.

The motion in Parliament was passed unanimously.

Ms Tuimaba said: “Firstly we are thankful to Government through Parliament for ratifying the Convention, something we have been advocating for the full inclusion and the voice of persons with disabilities to be respected and included in society,” she said.

Ms Tuimaba said now they would be able to access public services available to the general public.

One of the provisions of the Convention is the recognition of persons with disabilities.

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the Convention had 50 articles and the purpose of it was to promote the equal rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons with disabilities.

Mr Sayed–Khaiyum said persons with disabilities wanted to maintain some sense of dignity and we as human beings must respect them.

“Just because a person is blind or on a wheelchair, doesn’t mean we put them at the back of the room and forget about them,” he said.

New National Federation Party MP, Parmod Chand, in support of the Convention, said the convention would assist persons with disabilities who used buses.

Opposition Whip, Salote Radrodro, also supported the motion.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj