06 March 2017 GENEVA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reaffirmed its commitment to mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities in the ASEAN community during the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council.

“We recognize the need to mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities across the Political-Security, Economic and Cultural pillars of ASEAN,” said Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, of the Philippine Permanent Mission of the Philippines, who delivered the statement on behalf of the ASEAN member countries at the Annual Interactive Debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights has established the Regional Dialogue on the Mainstreaming of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community. ASEAN also has committed itself to the Bali Declaration on the enhancement of the role and participation of persons with disabilities in the ASEAN Community adopted at the 19th ASEAN Summit in November 2011.

This year, it is also anticipated that the ASEAN will launch a Regional Action Plan (RAP) on the Mainstreaming of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community.

“ASEAN is proud that all its members have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” remarked Charge d’Affaires Almojuela.

The Human Rights Council is the principal organ of the United Nations dealing with the promotion and protection of human rights.  It is headquartered at the UN Office in Geneva and meets for its regular sessions thrice a year, i.e., March, June and September.  The March session features high-level dignitaries from UN member States. END