9th September 2011, Male'; The Fourth Conference of the Parties for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was held at the United Nations Headquarters on 9 September 2011. The theme of this three-day conference was "Enabling Development, Realizing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" and the sub-themes of the Conference were "Realizing the Convention through International Cooperation", "Political and Civil Participation" and "Work and Employment".
Minister Shakir preceded his official remarks by stating "Let me initially say that I deliver this statement with a heavy heart having just heard the news of the tragic drowning deaths of four Maldivian school children and their principal during a fisheries science trip. My heart, along with the hearts of all Maldivians, is with the victims and their families. May god bless their souls."
In his official statement the Minister reiterated that Maldives fully supports the purpose of this important human rights instrument, namely, to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
Minister highlighted the remarkable progress made in the short span of two years since the first democratic election in 2008, these include acceding to numerous international human rights instruments and the landmark ratification of the Disabilities Act (Bill 8/20) on 9 July 2010.
The Minister expressed the eagerness of Maldives to engage with civil society, other states and international organizations to work on these important issues.
He also noted that the Maldives must work to protect and promote the rights of the most vulnerable citizens through the mainstreaming of the rights of persons with disabilities.
He concluded his remarks by unequivocally stating that Maldives is firmly committed to meet its responsibility to ensure that persons with disabilities are supported and encouraged to fully participate in Maldivian society and called upon the international community to work with Maldives to develop and implement programs and policies that protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.
End.