Ma reaffirms commitment to equal rights for disabled

2015/12/21

President Ma Ying-jeou said Dec. 17 that the ROC government is committed to enhancing the well-being of the disabled and promoting equal opportunities for all members of society in Taiwan.

“Attainment of this worthy goal is being achieved through incorporating related international covenants into law,” Ma said. “These include passage of an enactment act last year aimed at implementing the provisions of U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”

The president made the remarks while delivering the opening address at a CRPD international conference in Taipei City.

According to Ma, the government has chalked up significant headway in ensuring dignified and equal treatment of the disabled. “Following adoption of the U.N. convention in 2006, the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act was amended a year later to bring it more in line with international standards,” he said.

“In addition, a white paper unveiled in 2009 outlines national plans for advancing economic security, environmental accessibility, welfare services, and rights to education, employment and health care for the disabled.”

The president said since taking office in May 2008, he has prioritized improving Taiwan’s democracy and human rights practices, citing the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2009.

Other examples include implementation of the Enforcement Act of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 2012, the Enforcement Act of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2014 and the Enforcement Act of the Convention against Corruption in 2015.

“By adopting these international conventions, Taiwan is strengthening its role as a responsible member of the global community,” Ma said. “We have every reason to believe the CRPD initiative will help coordinate cross-sector efforts and foster a genuinely accessible environment for people with disabilities in Taiwan.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240379&ctNode=2194&mp=9)