His Excellency Em Chan Makara: Cambodia has accomplished a lot outcome in the disability sector after rectifying on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

On May 19, 2016, at the Phnom Penh Hotel, His Excellency, Em Chan Makara, Secretary General of Disability Action Council stated during the consultative workshop on the “reviewing the first draft of the Initial on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” that, Cambodia has accomplished a lot outcome in the disability sector after rectifying on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The achievements are including an increase rate on People with Disabilities to work in the Ministries and Institutions, community based rehabilitation for supporting and raise livelihood of poor people with disabilities, physical rehabilitation, vocational training and self-employment. Especially services for people with deft and blind, they are also improved: brail, sign language are created and integrated into education programs, technology, and TV channels, for, it is serve information for people with disabilities.

His Excellency Em Chan Makara continues that People with Disabilities are prioritized to offer for social land concession; for, they can build their shelter and doing their small business and agriculture. The fact is that, the Royal Government issued land title certificate and build houses for People with Disabilities at Taken Koh Slar, People with Disabilities Development Region 317, in Koulen District, Seim Reap Province and Phnom Chhat, Bantea Mean Chey Province.

Secretariat General Disability Action Council, His Excellency Em Chan Makara clarified that, children with disabilities have got also opportunities in education in public schools without discrimination. A number of public schools are equipped with ramps for children with disabilities; also, Centre and school for children with blind and children with deaf are supported with livelihood and education until tertiary education. There are amounts of People with Disabilities are appointed to work with capacity.

His Excellency Sem Sokha, Secretary of State and the Vice President of Disability Action Council, he is representative of His Excellency Vong Soth, Minister of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation and the President of Disability Action Council, stated that the Royal Government, as a state party has accomplice its duties to comply the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). That the Government takes the measurement; for, People with Disabilities have share from economic growth, participating in the social affairs, culture, sport, and religions. Also, the government offers the consultation service for People with Disabilities; so, they can have equality and without discrimination, that including encourage them to participate in politic regime, public show in order to be fulfill with their rights.

His Excellency Sem Sokha, has suggested a number of important recommendations. (1) all participants should carefully examine all principles, guidelines on the Convention in article 35 paragraph 1 of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; those are the inputs for this first initial report will be submitted to the Royal Government for examination and last decision. (2) Secretariat General Disability Action Council has to closely review and consult by considering to accountability and transparency by showing factors and difficulties can limit to duties to implement the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. (3) Disability Action Working Group (DA/WG) in all ministries and institutions and Disability Action Council at Municipal and Provinces cooperate and coordinate by offering report and continue to taking the National Disability Strategic Plan 2014-2018 as a main action then put it in action for their individuals ministries and institutions; and then they can effectively implement their action plan.

A note, this consultative workshop are participated by about 100 participants, who are representatives from ministries, relevant institutions, representative from Municipal and Provincial Authority, representatives from Civil Society and representative of People with Disabilities.