Hon. Naddy Zialor made a statement to the House on the morning of Friday 3rd December, 2021 to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021, celebrated every year on this day.
This day is aimed at highlighting disability inclusion as an essential condition to upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. It is also central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind. The global crisis of COVID-19 is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing the extent of exclusion and highlighting that work on disability inclusion is imperative. People with disabilities—one billion people worldwide— are one of the most excluded groups in our society and are among the hardest hit in this crisis in terms of fatalities.
In his statement to the House, Hon Zialor stated that “the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is our convention and that it is the world around us that is disabled and that we, we are differently abled. The young girl in the wheel chair, she has special abilities, the teenager who is blind is gifted and the boy who is deaf, is also gifted”. Hon. Zialor reminded all Seychellois living with a disability that they all need to remind Seychelles that they should not be looked upon with pity but rather with equity and equality. He finished his powerful speech by saluting the parents who dedicate their time and care to their children, those who promote inclusivity and highlighted that the moment to elevate this group in our society is long overdue and that there is a need to further their development now.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres stated in his message to commemorate this day that “I urge all countries to fully implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, increase accessibility, and dismantle legal, social, economic and other barriers with the active involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations.”
Even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities are less likely to access health care, education, employment and to participate in the community. An integrated approach is required to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind. Hon. Zialor also thanked the Secretariat, the Leaders and Members of both Caucuses of the Assembly for making the institution one that is inclusive and that has enabled him to feel a sense of belonging and respect as a Member of the Assembly.
