CPA NEWS COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARIANS AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERS JOIN WORKSHOP TO MARK INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI) co-hosted a virtual workshop on protecting and promoting disability rights to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021. The workshop, titled ‘How NHRIs and Parliaments can protect and promote disability rights,’ took place on 2 December 2021 and brought together Commonwealth Parliamentarians, national human rights commissioners, civil society leaders and activists. The focus of discussion was the many opportunities for collaboration between Parliaments and national human rights institutions in the effort to defend disability rights, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CPA works though its Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) network to encourage Commonwealth Parliaments and Parliamentarians to enable effective and full participation of persons with disabilities at all levels. The CFNHRI is a member-led network of human rights institutions, ombudsmen, and public defenders. It is working towards a Commonwealth where human rights are respected, protected and enjoyed. The CPwD Chairperson, Hon. Dennitah Ghati, HSC MP (Kenya), in her opening remarks at the workshop, said: “Members of Parliament have a responsibility to ensure that draft legislation is in conformity with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have a responsibility to work with National Human Rights Institutions to ensure government decisions comply with international human rights treaties. And we must liaise with civil society organisations to implement relevant laws and legislation to protect disability rights.” International Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked every year on 3 December. It was established by the United Nations in 1992 to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
FIJI PARLIAMENT HOLDS FIRST OPEN DAY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The Parliament of Fiji hosted its first ever open day for persons with disabilities on 3 December 2021 which coincided with International Day for Persons with Disabilities. His Excellency Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the Speaker of the Parliament of Fiji opened the event and the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities (CPwD) Regional Champion, Hon. Viam Pillay, MP gave the keynote address to more than 40 participants from both Parliament and the local community. The aim of the event was to achieve greater awareness and engagement for persons with disabilities in Fiji and was organised in partnership with two key national actors, namely, the Fiji Association of the Deaf (FAD) and the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation (FDPF) recognising that partnerships with civil society organisations (CSOs) and relevant stakeholders provides the impetus for greater awareness and success. The event provided an opportunity for MPs, advocates and key actors to connect and discuss key issues related to persons with disabilities as well as providing stakeholders with information on the role of Parliament and encourage persons with disabilities to actively participate in the legislative policy making process. The event also created an ideal opportunity for Parliament to become more inclusive, accessible and representative of all Fijians including marginalised groups such as persons with disabilities.
A key highlight of the event was the handing over ceremony of newly purchased high-end headphones to the Fiji Association of the Deaf. The equipment will be used by the sign language interpreters for the Parliament and Standing Committee sittings. The Fijian Parliament and CPA Fiji Branch thanked the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for the funding of this event through the CPwD Regional Funds.
For the latest CPA and Commonwealth news please visit www.cpahq.org or follow the CPA on social media Twitter @CPA_Secretariat | Facebook.com/CPAHQ | LinkedIn | Instagram @cpa_secretariat 18 | The Parliamentarian | 2022: Issue One | 100 years of publishing
