Reps Call For Action On UN Convention On Rights Of Persons With Disabilities

The House of Representatives has called for quick action towards rectification of the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This was contained in a letter despatched and addressed to the Chairman of the Committees on Disabilities following consideration on the matter during plenary.

The House, during plenary urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to transmit to the National Assembly, the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities for ratification.

It also urged its Committees on disabilities, treaties, protocols and agreement and legislative compliance to ensure compliance.

The House had during plenary reached a resolution after the adoption of a motion moved by Princess Miriam Onuoha, representing Okigwe North federal constituency of Imo State.

Moving the motion, Onuoha had noted that the Convention on the Rights of PWDs and its optional protocol was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was opened for signatures on 30 March 2007 and Nigeria is a signatory to the convention.

The lawmaker had expressed concern that the implication of non–ratification of this convention on Nigerians with disabilities negatively impacts the full implementation of the contents of its provision within the Nigeria territory after 15 years.

“It takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as ‘objects’ of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as ‘subjects’ with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of the society,” she had defended the bill.

Continuing, she pointed out that, “The United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, has proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind.”

According to her, “The principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations recognize the inherent dignity and worth and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

“In other words, emphasizing the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of relevant strategies of sustainable development. The need to domesticate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the wellbeing of persons with Disability,” Hon Onuoha had stated.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Disabilities and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.

The letter which was signed by the Clerk of the House, Chinedu Akubueze, highlighted the purpose of the correspondence stating it was to convey the resolution of the House.