Bernama.com
General April 09, 2008 18:44 PM
 
Malaysia Signs UN Treaty On Rights Of Persons With Disabilities


KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is now a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a treaty that upholds and safeguards the rights of people with disabilities to be independent and to live with dignity and respect.

Women, Family and Community Development Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Faizah Mohd Tahir signed the treaty for Malaysia at a ceremony held at the United Nations's (UN) headquarters in New York Tuesday.

According to a statement from the ministry, the signing of the convention was witnessed by UN's Office of Legal Affairs' Chief of Treaty Section Annebeth Rosenboom, Malaysia's Counsellor in New York Raja Nurshirwan Zainal Abidin and Director of National Population and Family Development Aminah Abdul Rahman.

The long-awaited convention underlines eight general principles which include respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy, non-discrimination, full and effective participation and inclusion in society, respect for difference, and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity.

The statement said the signing of the convention showed the government's concern and commitment following the formulation of the Policy on Persons with Disabilities and its plan of action.

-- BERNAMA
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