tzippy@dasys1.UUCP (Tzipporah BenAvraham) (09/02/89)
Here is a human rights resolution I co-drafted with Ambassador John McDonald of the US State Department (previous to his retirement) which I hope I can ask you all to support. Please send letters to: The Human Rights Commission; United Nations; Sub-commission on the Prevention of discrimination and protection of Minorities; Geneva Switzerland. Here is the resolution: Implementation of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of the Disabled THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: RECALLING its resolutions 37/52 of 3 December 1982, by which it adopted the World Programme od Action Concerning Disabled Persons and its resolution 37/53 of 3 December 1982, by which it proclaimed the periods 1983-1992 United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons as a long term plan of action; RECALLING with Satisfaction its resolution 39/26 of 23 November 1984, which noted that the Commission on Human Rights resolution 1984/31 of 12 March 1984 and the draft resolution of the sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, concerning violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms and disability, appointed a special rapporteur to study this in collaboration with the centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat; NOTING its resolution 40/31 of 29 November 1985, which requested the Secretary-General to report on preparations for the expert meeting to evaluate progress at the mid-decade of the United Nations Decade of Disabled persons; DESIROUS of ensuring effective implementation of the World Programme of Action and aware that, if this is to be acheived, Member States, organizations and organizations of disabled persons must be encouraged to continue activities already undertaken and to initiate new programmes and activities; CONVINCED that the Decade of Disabled Persons will give meaningful and forceful impetus to the implementation of the World Programme of Action and to a broader understanding of its purposes; RECALLING that paragraph 135 of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons states that Member States should ensure that disabled persons have the opportunity to utilize their creative, artistic and intellectual potential to the full, not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of others; NOTING FURTHER that access to educational and cultural activities should be encouraged and, where necessary, special arrangements should be made to meet the needs of individuals with sensory impairments; 1. URGES Member States to make every effort to attain the objectives of the World Programme of Action in co-operation with non-governmental organizations concerned and to involve disabled persons in planning and decision-making related to the implementation of the Programme; 2. URGES Member States to proclaim that; A. Sign language interpretation and its teaching is the human right of the deaf and hearing impaired; B. The use of Braille is the human right of the blind and visually impaired; C. easy access to barrier free buildings is a human right for those persons with mobility impairments. 3. REQUESTS Member States to carry out plans and programs concerning the promotion of these human rights for disabled persons in order to ensure equal participation, with dignity, for those disabled within their own borders. Thank you in advance for your support. This is the official language used by the United Nations. Please be aware there are NO human rights for the disabled right now with one exception- the mentally retarded. We must make at least ONE resolution before the end of the Decade in 1992 and this one was voted on by 22 of 38 committees on disability. Remember, this will also go to people who will never even have pure drinking water in their own countries (like Malawi where the average age is 45 and most are blind from river worms by age 30) and where simple ear infection (otitis media) causes deafness due to lack of the pennicilin to prevent it. It is a bedrock from which the world can catapult. Please support this resolution. Thank you. Tzipporah Benavraham --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-