The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) held a ceremony to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities and Vietnam’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Person wit Disabilities in Hanoi on December 3.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized that persons with disabilities have their own value that we should respect. He called on the community to give a helping hand and protect the legitimate rights of the disabled.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said Vietnam’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has shown the country’s political strong commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of the disabled. The minister said this was a legal foundation for Vietnam to express its consistent policy on human rights, particularly the rights of disabled people.

MOLISA will soon submit a plan on the implementation of the UN Convention to the Prime Minister for approval. The ministry will also ask individuals and organizations in Vietnam and abroad to make joint efforts in implementing the Convention in an effective manner, with a view to completing a legal network on the disabled and protecting their legitimate rights and interests in all fields, added Chuyen.

Other delegates at the ceremony discussed major contents of the Convention and pointed out advantages and disadvantages of Vietnam in the implementation process.

Joakim Parker, Mission Director of the US Agency for International Development, congratulated Vietnam on the ratification, saying that the United States is willing to support Vietnam’s efforts for the interests of disabled people.

At present, Vietnam has around 7 million people with disabilities, accounting for about 7.8 percent of the country’s total population. Over the past years, Vietnam has issued and been completing policy on the disabled to help them get better access to social services.-VNA