ONE IN EVERY TEN IS DISABLED

New Delhi, 11 September 2006

NEW DLEHI; September 12 (INFA):  The United Nations General Assembly President, Jan Iliasson has urged the member-countries to work out a new human rights convention that would guarantee persons with disabilities the full enjoyment of their rights without discrimination. 

In a letter to the members, he said that some 650 million people --- or one in 10 of the world’s population--- are believed to be living with some form of disability, and yet there is no international convention to uphold their rights. 

We have the opportunity to agree on a landmark convention which would bring practical improvements to the lives of many people around the world, “he wrote and added that although there are still some issues to be resolved, significant progress had been reached at the seven previous negotiating sessions so that “an agreement is now within reach”.

Proponents of the convention, which would be the first new human rights treaty of the 21^st century, say a new legally binding document is needed because persons with disabilities often lack legal recourse to protect their rights. 

As a result, they are barred from employment and education opportunities and their needs for access to health, transportation and justice are often overlooked or ignored.

The convention would obligate countries, for instance, to gradually include disability-friendly features into the construction of new facilities, promote and improve access to education and information, and introduce measures that eliminate discriminatory practices. 

The convention recognizes that the countries will need some time to fully implement its provisions.

JUDGMENT IN TELUGU

HYDERABAD, September 12 (INFA):  For the first time in the history of Andhra Pradesh, the District Civil Judge of Nizamabad in the State delivered the judgment of a case in Telugu.

In pursuance of a directive from the Official Language Commission that all official communications should be in the State language, he delivered the judgment in Telugu for the benefit of the common public.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad’s Information Technology and e-Governance initiatives have earned another plaudit by winning the “Manthan-American India Foundation Award” for best practices in e-content and creativity

The Award, it may be added, was launched in 2004. The Corporation’s “Hyderabad  First” won the award completing against 35 other organizations.

The prize was given away in New Delhi at the first international conference on e-content and sustain ability and Manthan-AIF award, 2006. ---INFA