Statement by India on the Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child (“Theme: Empowering children with disabilities for the enjoyment of their human rights, including through inclusive education”) at the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council on 04th March 2019
Mr. President,
At the outset, India would like to thank the panellists for their insightful presentations. The focus of this meeting on the theme of empowering children with disabilities for the enjoyment of their human rights, including through inclusive education is timely and pertinent.
Mr. President,
India is home to around 20% of the world’s child population. Keeping in view this heterogeneity of the country, the Government has been pursuing its agenda of inclusive growth for the development, keeping in mind the best interests of the child with strong support and partnership with state governments and voluntary sector. India lays down child rights as a lead indicator of national development at all levels of governance. India is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols on the involvement of children in armed conflict and the sale of children child prostitution and child pornography.
Mr. President,
India has taken steps on its domestic policy front to empower children with disabilities. The National Policy for Children in India and the National Action Plan for Children provides relevant guidelines for policy directions for the empowerment of children with disabilities. It has provisions on development of capacity and awareness among teachers and non-teaching staff about issues and obligations regarding access to quality education for students with disabilities. It also refers to strict mechanisms to ensure the right to education to children with disabilities without any discrimination. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 of India has provisions conveying that the appropriate Government and the local authorities shall take measures to ensure that the women and children with disabilities enjoy their rights equally with others. There is an entire chapter, namely Chapter III in this Act that is devoted to the right to education of the children with disabilities with focus on duties of educational institutions and specific measures to promote inclusive education. The act has also relevant provisions to ensure social security, health, rehabilitation and recreation of children with disabilities.
Mr. President,
India remains committed to fulfilment of the basic human rights of children with disabilities and looks forward to the discussions in this meeting.
Thank You.
