Statement by the Turkish Delegation

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

CONFERENCE OF THE STATE PARTIES

4th Session

Towards Equality without Discrimination

07-09 September 2011

United Nations, New York

Madam/Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, representatives of the States Parties to the Convention,

State of the Republic of Turkey is extremely pleased to attend this fourth Conference of State Parties and extends appreciation to the Bureau, panel members and the Secretariat of the Convention for their efforts for the success of the deliberations of the conference.

State of the Republic of Turkey gives utmost importance to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in that it would enhance mainstreaming disability issues into all relevant policy areas. More to the point, it would lead to promotion of enjoyment of all human rights for all persons with disabilities as well as implementation and monitoring of enjoyment of the human rights for them at the level of international standards.

There have been substantial improvements on disability policies in Turkey by the driving force of recent developments in disability policies based upon universal human rights as well as the government’s strong determination and will on the issue.

This determination until the period of signing of the convention resulted in the adoption of the first ever disability act of the Turkish Republic. The Turkish Disability Act made amendments in relevant laws and decree laws in order to find broad and permanent solutions to problems of persons with disabilities. During this period, there had been made some significant amendments to the laws on various issues with education, health and employment. All these amendments constitute disability law, which currently includes about 1500 articles.

The Turkish Disability Act includes the following provisions promoting universal fundamental principles as found in the Convention:

  • To combat all discrimination, violence and abuse on the basis of disability;
  • To ensure full and effective participation of persons with disabilities, their families and civil society organisations in decision making process;
  • To maintain family integrity of persons with disabilities in providing services for persons with disabilities;
  • To prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability and ensure equality of opportunity;
  • To remove obstacles and barriers to full participation of persons with disabilities;
  • To facilitate accessibility to services;
  • To enhance accessibility to buildings and other facilities open to the public;
  • To promote employment and vocational rehabilitation opportunities for persons with disabilities;
  • To provide adequate standard of living and social protection to persons with disabilities.

By taking the necessary steps forward in ensuring all disabled persons enjoy all human rights, the necessary legal basis had been provided and Turkey eventually signed the Convention being among the original signatory countries on 30th March 2007.

An European Commission TAIEX Workshop on National Implementation and Monitoring of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in European Countries was organised in collaboration with European Commission Directorate-General for Justice and Fundamental Rights on 21st March 2011 in Ankara in order to provide illustrative examples of how countries have given effect to article 33 of the Convention in their domestic framework.

In order to raise public awareness on the Convention,

  • The conference have been organised in 70 cities across the country,
  • A protocol with Turkish Radio – Television Corporation has been signed
  • A cooperation between Institutions and organizations has been provided
  • The Strategy Documents for Care Services andAction Plans on Care Services and Accessibility have been prepared and implemented

State of the Republic of Turkey has been taking appropriate measures to fulfil the provisions of the Convention to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in the every realm of life by facilitating access to

  • Employment
  • Justice
  • Education
  • Transportation
  • Health services
  • Buildings and other facilities open to the public
  • New information and communications technologiesand systems by carrying out

infrastructuraldevelopment

In the wake of the restructuring process of social services, social assistance and social policies in order to make better coordinate the social services delivering in Turkey, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies was set up on 6th July 2011.

Within this context, it is expected that the General Directorate on Services to Disabled Persons and Seniors will more effectively deliver social services to persons with disabilities than the previous structure under the umbrella of the Ministry. As to the inception of Independent mechanisms that promote, protect and monitor implementation of the Convention, it is in progress.

The coordination and collaboration between the relevant institutions and organizations delivering services to disabled persons have been implemented and monitored effectively. The implementation of the legislation and action plans has made in good progress.

We should remember that in order to positively address disability issues we need to take global concerted actions that will contribute to a raised social consciousness, and the involvement of all members of society thereby is a necessity.

The objective of the Convention and national legal arrangements is to prevent the marginilization of disabled persons, and to ensure their full and equal participation in all aspects of societal life;in this regard, the Convention echoes the sentiments of all state parties involved.

Finally, I’d like to express myinfinite gratitude and sincere congratulatory wishes to the president of the conference, the Secretariat of the Convention, and, representatives of the States Parties to the Convention on the grounds of providing us an opportunity to share best practices among the state parties and your valuable efforts and contributions to the effective implementation of the Convention across the world.

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