South Sudan launched the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities – an international human rights treaty that promotes, protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights.
A survey indicates that 11% of the South Sudan population – about 1 million people – were persons with disabilities, some of whom have suffered discrimination and other human rights violations.
The treaty advocates that the persons with disabilities enjoy the fundamental freedoms and respect for their inherent dignity.
“The objective of this launch is to raise awareness on the convention on the rights of person with disabilities at the national and state level. We are advocating for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and we are advocating for inclusive representation of the person with disabilities at all levels,” said Esther Ikere Eluzai, undersecretary at the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare.
The convention was assented to on February 24, 2023 by President Salva Kiir – a move which the groups of the persons with disabilities and human rights activists applauded.
The Chairperson of the South Sudan Union of Persons with Disabilities, Agustino Udo Ilario, stated that the launch of the convention signifies the government’s commitment to promoting equal rights for citizens.
“The launching of this documentation is a significant step for the implementation of the UN-CRPD to address the multiple challenges that are facing the person with disabilities in the Republic of South Sudan and to grantee their right without discriminations,” Udo explained.
“South Sudan is a party to UN-CRPD. We the persons with disabilities are convinced that all the public and private affairs and decision are inconformity with the United Nations Convention of the right of person with disabilities articles.”
The launch was organized by the national ministry of gender, child and social welfare, officiated by the national minster of humanitarian affairs and disaster management.
