Representatives of the Macau Special Administrative Region, who joined the Chinese delegation in a dialogue with experts from the United Nations Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held from 17 to 19 August, said that measures taken in recent years to support persons with disabilities and said the city would continue to do so. Improve laws and policies.
at the review meetingnd and 3rd A report on China’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including the contents of Macau and Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions.
Legal Department Director Liu Dexue highlighted a number of moves by the SAR authorities, including the adoption of tax incentives for hiring persons with disabilities in 2018. Implementation of inclusive education and development of individualized education plans and 2016 decade plan for rehabilitation services.
“The Government of Macau SAR will continue to implement various measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, strive to implement the provisions of the Convention, and build an equitable, inclusive, barrier-free and harmonious society.” the Department of Justice issued a statement. The General Affairs Bureau indicates the next meeting.
In addition to Mr. Liu, the Macau delegation also included Mr. Hong Wai, Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Choi Shio Ung, Director of Social Solidarity, Mr. Ng Ying Chung, Director of International and Interregional Legal Affairs, and senior officers of both Legal Affairs Bureaus. This is Ho Kuok Seng.
Questions Raised by the Panel
One committee expert said that information on disability accessibility to courts in Macau, measures taken to make housing more affordable, and assisted decision-making is provided in an accessible format. and so on.
The delegation said that, in accordance with the basic law of the SAR, “persons with disabilities enjoyed equal rights in judicial proceedings and in everyday life.” Additionally, “sign language interpreters were provided at court hearings, and persons with disabilities were provided with wheelchairs and professional support as needed.”
The SAR representative also indicated that citizens with disabilities are prioritized when it comes to access to social housing, adding that less than 5% of disabled people need to live in community houses.
On issues related to domestic violence related to persons with disabilities, the representative of Macau said that with the new Domestic Violence Law coming into force in 2016, only 2 out of 335 reported cases of domestic violence involved persons with disabilities. emphasized that
Macau also bans non-consensual abortions and sterilizations, while the government “encouraged persons with disabilities to bear children and extended social support to pregnant women to assist with childbirth.” and no such cases have been detected.
Experts praise China’s reforms
The Commission’s panel of experts commended China, a country home to some 85 million people with Questions were asked about independence and homeschooling for people with disabilities.
Commission expert and country rapporteur Mara Gavrilli said, “Since its first review ten years ago, China has adopted significant reforms to comply with the treaty, and the Commission has taken these steps. welcomed,” he said.
At the same time, according to a news release issued by the commission on Friday after its meeting, experts said “the steps taken by the state to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and the I asked about education at home.
The Chinese delegation pointed out that “homeschooling was aimed at helping people with severe disabilities to go to school,” and that “at the national level, there are special arrangements and educational institutions are responsible for homeschooling.” should bear the burden,” he added. Its aim is to enable children with disabilities to attend mainstream schools when they are ready.
Mr. Zhang Haidi, head of the Chinese delegation and vice-chairman of the State Council Working Committee on Persons with Disabilities, reiterated China’s firm support for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Over the past decade, “more than 90 laws in China were directly related to the protection of the rights and interests of persons with disabilities” Care assistance for people with severe disabilities benefiting more than 27 million people Money.
A committee expert expressed concern that “the lives of persons with disabilities remain extremely difficult in mainland China.”
The same expert asked what measures were being taken to strengthen the application of anti-discrimination laws and support access to decent work for persons with disabilities.
The Chinese delegation detailed measures taken to support persons with disabilities, including homes where features such as flashing doorbells and fire alarms have been installed by the state.
On a separate note, the delegation said COVID-19 infection rates among persons with disabilities were lower than average rates according to preliminary statistics.
In his closing remarks, Zhang said the dialogue was “sincere and fruitful, and the delegation highlighted how China has improved the rights of persons with disabilities while also highlighting challenges.”
The United Nations Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is scheduled to release its final observations on the China report on 9 September.
