New York – 9 June 2015 – The Maldives urges the need to find a way to mainstream disability and realize a disability-inclusive post-2015 development agenda. Speaking at the Eighth Session of the Conference of State Parties on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations stressed that the post-2015 agenda should guarantee non-discrimination and it should include a policy approach that empowers those most in need.
Ambassador Sareer said that the Maldives believes that strong policies and practices are essential to address the vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities. He noted that the Constitution of the Maldives guarantees the full enjoyment of equal rights and fundamental freedoms to persons with disabilities. To further strengthen and ensure the provision of their rights, in 2010 the Maldives enacted the Disability Act, and since then has established a Disability Council and a Disabilities Register. The Register provides persons enlisted with monthly subsidies.
Despite these efforts, the Maldives continues to face many challenges in developing and implementing effective measures to combat inequality among persons with disabilities, said the Maldives statement. This is in part attributed to the unique challenges and vulnerabilities owing to geography and size of the country making it extremely difficult to serve the highly dispersed population. Yet, the Ambassador noted that the Government of Maldives remains committed in ensuring that the goal is achieved completely, and in this regard requested assistance and support of the international community.
The four-day conference that started with a Civil Society Global Forum continued with the General Debate including statements from Member States, International Organizations, National Human Rights Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations.
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