PRESS RELEASE

Hon’ble Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley signed on behalf of the Royal Government the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 21st September 2010, on the occasion of the 2010 UN Treaty Event. 

The Convention on disabilities is considered a comprehensive human rights and social development tool with a focus on eliminating discrimination and disparities against individuals on the basis of their disability, rather than focusing on the disability itself.  The purpose of the Convention as provided in Art 1 is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13th December 2006. With the deposit of the 20th instrument of ratification, it entered into force on 3rd May 2008.  147 states have signed the Convention.

Signing of the Convention is a significant demonstration of the RGOB’s commitment to promote and protect the inherent dignity of all Bhutanese, and in particular the rights of persons with disabilities, to the promotion of an inclusive society, as well as Bhutan’s continued support to the international rule of law.

Hon’ble Lyonchhen is in New York leading the RGOB’s delegation to the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, to participate in the High Level Plenary Summit on the Millenium Development Goals.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

THIMPHU, 21st  SEPTEMBER 2010