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President Mori signs Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

New York (FSM Permanent Mission to the United Nations): September 23, 2011 - On Friday moments before he was due to address the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Emanuel Mori signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The occasion is significant as it affirms President Mori's commitment to the protection of most the vulnerable members of the society including women, children, and the disabled.

The Convention was adopted by members of the United Nations in December 2006 at the Sixty-first Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It entered into force in May 2008. As a human rights instrument, the Convention aims to improve the situation of persons with disabilities. It guarantees persons with disabilities to enjoy their inherent right to life on an equal basis with others.

By signing the Convention, President Mori signals his Government's intention to abide by the Convention. The event followed a series of initiatives including commitments made under by the Mori's Administration on the occasion of FSM's review during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Human Rights. Domestically, the Department of Health and Social Affairs has already commenced the necessary leg work needed to promote the rights of the disabled. The next step is for the Administration to seek Congressional ratification of the Convention as required by the FSM Constitution.