Ashgabat, 16 August 2011 – The Members of the Working Group of the Interministerial Commission on Implementation of the International Obligations of Human Rights (WGIC) participated in a workshop on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The workshop was organized jointly by the National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ashgabat.

Workshop participants, who came from key ministries and organizations playing an important role in monitoring the implementation of the newly ratified Convention, gained insights into general principles of the CRPD, general measures of the implementation, including legislation, coordination, independent monitoring, data collection, training and dissemination of the Convention, as well as cooperation with civil society.

Promotion of the rights of children with disabilities was given a special consideration during the discussions. The Members of the WGIC learned about the importance of early intervention, inclusive education and the need for effective family-focused services to sustain progressive implementation of the CRPD.

According to the Dr. Danius Puras, international expert on children’s rights: “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reinforces and builds on the existing provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child opening a new era in securing the rights of children with disabilities and their families. With the emergence of the new paradigm for a social model of disability, the Convention calls governments for prevention, reduction and elimination of legal, procedural, physical and attitudinal barriers to promote participation of children with disabilities in society and create an integrated social environment”.

This workshop is one of a series of joint initiatives of UNICEF and the Government of Turkmenistan to align national legislation with international norms and standards on disability and to ensure children with disabilities enjoy equal human rights. Early this year, an orientation for Turkmenistan parliamentarian was successfully conducted. 

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For more information please contact:

Mr. Shohrat Orazov
UNICEF Social Policy Officer
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Ms. Ayna Seyitlieva
UNICEF Communication for Development Officer
Phone: +99312 425681/82/85/86
Fax: +99312 425779
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Web: http://www.unicef.org/turkmenistan