UN commends Georgia for ratifying Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Parliament of Georgia ratified the convention at a plenary session yesterday. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The United Nations in Georgia has released a joint statement commending the parliament of Georgia for ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) yesterday.
UN in Georgia also ‘expresses its appreciation to all actors, including persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, whose work has been instrumental to the ratification of the protocol’.
@ungeorgia commends the #Parliament for ratifying the Optional Protocol to #UNCRPD and expresses its appreciation to all actors, including #PWDs and their representative organizations, whose work has been instrumental to the ratification of the protocol https://t.co/lco9DlhcoM pic.twitter.com/6yox48ugeE
— UN in Georgia (@ungeorgia) March 5, 2021
UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Machl said that along with the adoption of the new Law on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2020, the ratification of the Optional Protocol ‘demonstrates Georgia’s efforts to align national policies and regulatory frameworks’ with the UN CRPD.
It is a commitment to take another step towards creating a barrier-free and inclusive society", Sabine Machl has stated.
The Parliament of Georgia unanimously ratified the UN convention at a plenary session yesterday.
Calling it a ‘historic decision’ Speaker Archil Talakvadze hoped the lives of persons with disabilities will improve for better.
The parliament of ???????? has ratified Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. One more important step forward to remove barriers and eliminate discrimination based on disability. pic.twitter.com/xmUXWMj3tU
— Archil Talakvadze (@A_Talakvadze) March 5, 2021
The ratification of the Optional Protocol enables the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to consider complaints of violations of rights under the Convention
It will also:
- complement and strengthen existing domestic mechanisms designed to promote the rights of persons with disabilities
- strengthen Georgia’s role within the international community and illustrate its commitment to constructive engagement with the UN human rights system
- contribute to enhancement of public awareness and understanding of the rights of persons with disabilities
Four, specially-adapted mini-buses have been provided to schools in the capital of Tbilisi to facilitate the transportation of students with disabilities.
Georgia will develop and implement a comprehensive policy to abolish the existing social barriers that hinders people with disabilities from their full and effective participation in all spheres of public life.
The Georgian Government, international organisations and the business sector are joining their efforts to develop better services for children with disabilities under state care.
Georgia’s capital is taking action to raise awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities by hosting several events this month, including a photo exhibition showing intimate details of the lives of people with disabilities.