PHNOM PENH: According to the representative for Social Affairs Minister Chea Somethy, the Cambodian government is turning the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into a reality in the Kingdom. He said its main priority is to ensure Cambodia’s disabled population is granted full human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination.

Speaking at the opening of a training course on "The Right To Justice For Persons With Disabilities within the Justice System" on October 31, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Social Affairs Em Chan Makara said that since becoming a member-state to the Convention in 2012, Cambodia has worked tirelessly to promote the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD).

The Secretary of State, who is also Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council, has collaborated with development partners, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Cambodia, to raise awareness of disability needs and legal aid services to ensure the recognition of equality before the law and the rights to justice, freedom and security for PWD.

Sec. Em Chan Makara, added, "We must work together to provide freedom for persons with disabilities to avoid exploitation, violence and abuse, as well as to protect the integrity of individuals and their right to freedom of movement and independent living… [We must] care for persons with disabilities in our communities and in all areas."

He also said that the government has protected the right to freedom of movement and provided freedom of expression, which he included as the rights to own or inherit property, to supervise personal financial affairs, to vote, to be paid minimum wage, and to register for ID cards and driver’s licenses.

He also noted that persons with disabilities in Cambodia have the rights to information, housing, education, and healthcare while the government continues to improve social protection systems.

"In general, persons with disabilities in Cambodia have full rights as stated in the law and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and include the right to participate in political and public life,” he said. “This allows persons with disabilities to live in society as equal before the law like persons without disabilities."