LALITPUR: Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said his party was sensitive to the human rights of the people with disabilities.

In his address to the first general convention of the National Democratic Handicapped Association held at the NC central office, Sanepa, Friday, President Deuba highlighted the pivotal contribution of the people with disabilities to advance the democratic movement of Nepal. “The motivation, support and positive role of the people with disabilities in propelling Nepal towards the path of modern development has always been appreciated”, he said while recognizing all those who supported the struggle at the call and under the leadership of NC despite physical, mental, intellectual and other types of disabilities.

President Deuba said Nepal’s hands-on experience has made it clear that only a democracy protects the rights of all classes, regions, genders, castes or communities. “Only after the restoration of democracy in 1990 AD (2046 BS), concrete measures have been put in place in Nepal to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities like others”, Deuba said, recalling that Nepal’s signing of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has pushed the country to bring policies, strategies and action plans in the sector.

“The Constitution stands for education, health, employment, easy livelihood for the persons with disabilities, he said expressing commitment to emphatically enhance services, facilities and employment opportunities to the sector along with the country’s economic development.

He further expressed the commitment to have implemented the issues and recommendations the Association has been raising to further assure the rights of the people with disabilities.

Also speaking on the occasion, NC vice-president Dhanraj Gurung, general-secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma, assistant general-secretary Jeevan Pariyar, spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, central members, Madhu Acharya, Madan Krishna Shrestha and Association President Prakash Pantha, among others recognized the contribution of the people with disabilities to restore democracy in Nepal.