According to the United Nations (UN), the annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
This year’s theme is, "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and Justice for all of us." Since the birth of the United Nations (UN), the latter has been committed to realization of universal human rights for all, including the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol were adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006, and opened for signature in March 2007.
The Convention aims to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy human rights on an equal basis with others.
"The Convention is an instrument to promote the interests of the disabled. It also gives the issues of disability and disabled people around the world voice, visibility and legitimacy. It represents a landmark for human rights in protecting and ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, in promoting the respect for their inherent dignity and in recognizing the richness of the diversity of the human family.
"On this International Day of Disabled Persons, I pay homage to the disabled and I would like to thank the staff and management of the Sister Basilia Center for all the good work that they do for our disabled citizens," Commissioner of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Commissioner Buncamper’s statement on International Day of the Disabled is part of Sector Health Care Affairs annual calendar of health observances.