STATEMENT OF THE INDONESIAN DELEGATION ANNUAL DEBATE THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 34th Session of Human Rights Council *
Mr. Vice President,
Indonesia aligns itself with the Joint Statement delivered by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN and by the Group of Friends of Persons with Disabilities.
At the outset, we would like to thank the distinguished Panelists for sharing their views on this very important topic. The persons with disability rights are guaranteed by various laws and regulations. Indonesia adopted Law No.8/2016 on Persons with Disabilities to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks, as well as improve implementation mechanism. This law has also transformed the Government’s approach in the mainstreaming of disability policies and programs into relevant Ministries/Bodies, as well as in promoting awareness of the rights of Persons with Disabilities at the sub-national government level.
Furthermore, disability issues have been integrated into the National Development Plan 2015-2019, and the current Human Rights National Action Plan. A Guideline on Disability-Responsive Planning and Budgeting was launched in 2015, to mainstream disability and improve the accountability of government leading-sectors at all levels.
The Government has increased efforts in the representation and participation of PwDs in the political sphere/life, by providing accessible election facilities and dissemination of disability issues for political parties and communities. In fact, persons with disabilities issues were one of the topic discussed during the candidates’ debate during the last regional elections.
Indonesia commits to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the parliament by increasing the number of PwDs and ownership of the legislative body. Local parliaments and governments are also encouraged to issue by-laws which are relevant to the protection and promotion of the rights of PwDs, such as regulation No. 6/2014 on Protection and Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities issued in the Province of South Sumatra.
Mr. Vice President,
Indonesia continues to improve the protection for women and girls with disabilities, by enhancing available resources to better respond to cases of violence against women and girls with disabilities.
Lastly, we would like to pose a question to the panelists: how would you envision international cooperation to assist developing countries in enhancing its capacity in mainstreaming their disabilities policies?
I thank you Mr. President
Geneva, 3 March 2017
*delivered by Ms. Mustika Hanum, Third Secretary – Permanent Mission of Indonesia, Geneva.
