Belarus ratifies UN convention on rights of persons with disabilities

oBelarus has ratified the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, according to the law published on October 21 at the National Legal Internet. The government agency responsible for the implementation of the convention is the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

The Convention is an international treaty in the field of human rights defense that sets international standards for the realization of rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities. The document also specifies the responsibilities of a state with regard to this category of population. The Convention aims to promote, protect and ensure full and equal realization of all human rights and freedoms for all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Belarus will develop a National Implementation Plan, which is to envisage improvements in medical and social expertise, up-to-date rehabilitation services and measures to ensure access to labor and social infrastructure by persons with disabilities.

The bill passed the House of Representatives on October 3, 2016 and was approved by the Council of the Republic on October 6. Belarus President Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed the bill into law on October 18.