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

Speaking atthe event, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized that persons withdisabilities have their own value that we should respect. He called onthe community to give a helping hand and protect the legitimate rightsof the disabled.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Labour, WarInvalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said Vietnam’sratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons withDisabilities has shown the country’s political strong commitment topromoting and protecting the rights of the disabled. The minister saidthis was a legal foundation for Vietnam to express its consistentpolicy on human rights, particularly the rights of disabled people.

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

Other delegates at the ceremony discussed major contents of theConvention and pointed out advantages and disadvantages of Vietnamin the implementation process.

Joakim Parker, Mission Directorof the US Agency for International Development, congratulated Vietnamon the ratification, saying that the United States is willing tosupport 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 policyon the disabled to help them get better access to social services.-VNA