Mark
Thank for sharing, with those of us who would not have known about these
meetings
.
The sentiment of the Declaration seems nice. But, a few concerns:
I realise these declarations are usually large in scopes, and not
necessarily given power by anyone. However,
two elements are conspicuously missing, given the present time.
a) Reproductive technologies including the after math of the "genetic
affairs" in the lives of people with disabilities: the way in which the
result of human genome projects will be used (patenting of gene etc..)
disability dased-bias in the results from these.
b) The revival eugenics both by the RGTs and euthanasia "
Also section 5 what is meant by inclusion ?
Maria
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Priestley <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2000 4:59 AM
Subject: Beijing Declaration
> For information...
>
> BEIJING DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH
> DISABILITIES IN THE NEW
> CENTURY
>
> 1. We, the leaders of Disabled Peoples' International, Inclusion
> International, Rehabilitation International, the World Blind Union, and
> the
> World Federation of the Deaf, as well as national non-governmental
> organizations (NGOs) of and for people with disabilities from all
> continents, have convened in Beijing from 10 - 12 March 2000 to
> develop a
> new century strategy for the full participation and equality of people
> with
> disabilities,
>
> 2. We recognize, with appreciation, that the last two decades of the
> twentieth century witnessed and increased awareness of issues
> faced by over
> 600 million people with disabilities, assisted in part by various United
> Nations instruments,
>
> 3. We expressed deep concern, that such instruments and
> mandates have yet
> to create a significant impact on improving the lives of people with
> disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities, who remain
> the
> most invisible and marginalized of all disadvantaged social groups,
>
> 4. We emphasize, that the continued exclusion of people with
> disabilities
> from the mainstream development process is a violation of
> fundamental
> rights and an indictment of humankind at the inception of the new
> century,
>
> 5. We share the conviction, that the full inclusion of people with
> disabilities in society requires our solidarity in working towards an
> international convention that legally binds nations, to reinforce the
> moral
> authority of the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of
> Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities,
>
> 6. We believe, that the inception of the new century is an opportune
> time
> for people with diverse disabilities and their organizations, and other
> civic organizations, local and national governments, members of the
> United
> Nations system and other inter-governmental bodies, as well as the
> private
> sector, to collaborate closely in an inclusive and wide consultative
> process aimed at the development and adoption of an international
> convention to promote and protect the rights of people with
> disabilities,
> and enhance equal opportunities for participation in mainstream
> society,
>
> 7. We therefore urge, all heads of state and government, public
> administrators, local authorities, members of the Untied Nations
> system,
> people with disabilities, civic organizations that participate in the
> development process, and socially responsible private sector
> organizations,
> to immediately initiate the process for an international convention,
> including by raising it in all forthcoming international forums,
> especially
> the Special Session of the Untied Nations General Assembly on
> Social
> Development, the NGO Millennium Forum, the United Nations
> Millennium
> General Assembly and Summit and related preparatory meetings,
>
> 8. We further urge, all participants in this process to actively
facilitate
> the adoption of such convention, which should address, inter alia, the
> following areas of priority concerns:
>
> (a) Improvement of the overall quality of life of people with
> disabilities,
> and
> b. their upliftment from deprivation, hardship and poverty.
> (b) Education, training, remunerative work, and participation in
> decision-
> making process levels.
> (c) Elimination of discriminatory attitudes and practices, as well as
> information, legal and infrastructure barriers.
> (d) Increased allocations of resources to ensure the equal participation
> of people with disabilities.
>
> 1. We hereby, send out a call to action, to all concerned with equality
and
> human dignity, to join together in widespread efforts embracing capitals,
> towns and cities, remote villages, and the United Nations forums, to
ensure
> the adoption of an international convention on the rights of all people
> with disabilities, and
>
> 2. We commit our respective organizations to strive for a legally
> binding
> international convention on the rights of all people with disabilities to
> full participation and equality in society.
>
> Adopted on the 12 of March 2000
> at the World NGO Summit on Disability
> Beijing, People's Republic of China
>
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