bahamianpride
02-02-07, - 03:35 PM
Legislation and Disability
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/social_community/357700640597663.php
By YVONNE C JIRISTOFILIS, For The Guardian
Sir Lynden Pindling told us at a formal meeting in his office in 1991, after we presented him with a petition of some 100,000 signatures we had collected as support for a Disability Bill of Rights, that our Constitution covered the Rights of all Citizens. Thus the tone was set for our meeting. We showed him through our presentations, that this was not so. He seemed surprised at much of what we had, the figures attached and did say he would 'look into this'. We left him with, "we have just begun and will not stop until..." At Government House, the summer before he passed away, Sir Lynden pulled me aside and told me that he had spoken to his colleagues about disability, and I will admit to you, "now I understand!. This was good but sad, as he left us before he could actually influence necessary action. Bahamians, be aware .............................................. The Bahamas National Council for Disability as the Lead Umbrella NGO in The Bahamas, as well as advocate and "watchdog for Rights", maintains contact with the United Nations since our existence began in 1973 As the "Council for the Handicapped", we had able representation to the creation of the World Program of Action meetings in 1982, which followed the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981. Adopted by the General Assembly #37/52 and disseminated to the World by 1984 as the impetus for progress for disability. Member States were still slow to respond. A United Nations decade of Disabled Persons was then declared for the years 1983 to 1992. Through this United Nations experience, The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities was developed. The political and moral foundation for the Rules were constituted from:-
1. The International Bill of Human Rights.
2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
3. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
4. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
5. The Conventions of the Rights of the Child,
6. The Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women:
7. As well as the World Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons.
Our Council is proud to have made contributions to each of these Bills either through many 'Working Documents' to Member States or directly at convened meetings for each, either locally or internationally. While we remember most, the trip to Beijing for Women's Rights still stands out today. We were there! We state, as do the Rules, that "it is the responsibility of States (Bahamas) to take appropriate action to remove all obstacles for the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities and their Organizations should play an active role in this process. These persons are considered to make an essential contribution in the general and worldwide effort to mobilize human resources. Special attention may need to be directed towards groups such as women, children, the elderly, the poor, migrant workers, persons with dual or multiple disabilities, indigenous people and ethnic minorities. In addition, there are a large number of refugees with disabilities who have special needs." Now can the 'naysayers' see why the Council maintains its focus and STANDS? We will not be moved! Bahamas, are you listening?
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/social_community/357700640597663.php
By YVONNE C JIRISTOFILIS, For The Guardian
Sir Lynden Pindling told us at a formal meeting in his office in 1991, after we presented him with a petition of some 100,000 signatures we had collected as support for a Disability Bill of Rights, that our Constitution covered the Rights of all Citizens. Thus the tone was set for our meeting. We showed him through our presentations, that this was not so. He seemed surprised at much of what we had, the figures attached and did say he would 'look into this'. We left him with, "we have just begun and will not stop until..." At Government House, the summer before he passed away, Sir Lynden pulled me aside and told me that he had spoken to his colleagues about disability, and I will admit to you, "now I understand!. This was good but sad, as he left us before he could actually influence necessary action. Bahamians, be aware .............................................. The Bahamas National Council for Disability as the Lead Umbrella NGO in The Bahamas, as well as advocate and "watchdog for Rights", maintains contact with the United Nations since our existence began in 1973 As the "Council for the Handicapped", we had able representation to the creation of the World Program of Action meetings in 1982, which followed the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981. Adopted by the General Assembly #37/52 and disseminated to the World by 1984 as the impetus for progress for disability. Member States were still slow to respond. A United Nations decade of Disabled Persons was then declared for the years 1983 to 1992. Through this United Nations experience, The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities was developed. The political and moral foundation for the Rules were constituted from:-
1. The International Bill of Human Rights.
2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
3. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
4. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
5. The Conventions of the Rights of the Child,
6. The Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women:
7. As well as the World Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons.
Our Council is proud to have made contributions to each of these Bills either through many 'Working Documents' to Member States or directly at convened meetings for each, either locally or internationally. While we remember most, the trip to Beijing for Women's Rights still stands out today. We were there! We state, as do the Rules, that "it is the responsibility of States (Bahamas) to take appropriate action to remove all obstacles for the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities and their Organizations should play an active role in this process. These persons are considered to make an essential contribution in the general and worldwide effort to mobilize human resources. Special attention may need to be directed towards groups such as women, children, the elderly, the poor, migrant workers, persons with dual or multiple disabilities, indigenous people and ethnic minorities. In addition, there are a large number of refugees with disabilities who have special needs." Now can the 'naysayers' see why the Council maintains its focus and STANDS? We will not be moved! Bahamas, are you listening?