Kathmandu, December 4

Human rights activists today demanded effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

At a function organised by Human Rights and Peace Society and Nepal Disabled Human Rights Centre on the occasion of the 25th International Day of Persons with Disabilities, they said the state needed to ensure that disabled persons were not deprived of opportunities.

They said although the laws for the disabled people existed in papers, there was a dire need to implement them and increase advocacy for their rights.

Rights activists also said that because of a lack of awareness and education, disabled people didn’t have proper information or access to the legal system and a general mind-set of society was to deprive them of their rights.

HRPS founding president Krishna Pahadi stressed the need to formulate new laws and revise existing ones to secure the rights of the people living with disabilities as envisaged by the new constitution.

Similarly, Nepal Disabled Women Association Chairperson Nirmala Dhital stressed on equal participation of people with disabilities in all government mechanisms.