PHNOM PENH: On the closing day of the Third Global Conference on the Relief of Landmine Victims and Explosive Ordnance Disposal in the Context of Disability Rights on October 19, Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun expressed his strong interest in disability issues and promised to promote the disability sector while speaking to Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council, Sec. of State Em Chan Makara.
Em Chan Makara informed Neth Savoeun, who is Acting Prime Minister while the PM is abroad, that the disability sector has made great progress under the wise leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen and current Prime Minister Hun Manet, both of whom care for Cambodia’s disabled population. He also praised the consideration that Minister of Social Affairs Chea Somethy and his wife hold for the well-being of persons with disabilities.
During his closing speech to the conference, Neth Savoeun said that the Royal Government previously issued a sub-decree on setting quotas and recruitment procedures for hiring persons with disabilities, including 2% for the public sector and 1% for the private sector.
As of now, there are 3,748 civil servants with disabilities in public institutions (23% women) including 37 Ministries. Private Institutions employ 5,839 persons with disabilities (66% women) who work in 291 private institutions. Additionally, the rights of persons with disabilities are promoted in society, in political life, social activities, culture, sports and activities which demonstrates non-discrimination against persons with disabilities in Cambodia. Most recently, Cambodia hosted the 12th Para Games for Southeast Asia which saw thousands of athletes from across the region compete.
Neth Savoeun called on all relevant ministries and institutions to effectively and efficiently implement all legal documents related to persons with disabilities, including victims of landmines and unexploded remnants of war.
The Acting Prime Minister continued to call for the implementation and promotion of the National Strategic Plan on Disability, the Law on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the National Standards on Mine Action on Mine Victim Assistance. He also encouraged the private and public sectors to recruit persons with disabilities out of respect for their rights and to prevent discrimination and stigmatization of disabled populations in Cambodia and abroad.
