World Health • 49th Yeor, No.5, September-october 1996 9 A better world for all Bengt Lindqvist

The chain of events which started with the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981 will finally lead to stronger and more generally accepted legislation in the field. ''N ot until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men School for blind children in Niger. The right to full citizenship and equal participation in society for are recognized and accepted as a people with has finally achieved recognition at the global/eve/. common obligation of all men and all countries, not until then, shall we, second achievement was the adop­ in Vienna in 1993, made the follow­ with a certain degree of justification, tion of the World Programme of ing important statement in its final be able to speak about mankind as Action concerning Disabled Persons, report: "Special attention needs to be civilized." which outlined measures and pro­ paid to ensuring non-discrimination This statement was made by grammes in harmony with the theme. and the equal enjoyment of all Albert Einstein in 1945, as a reaction For the first time the human rights and fundamental free­ to the horrors of the Second World perspective was introduced in the doms by disabled persons, including War. Out of this feeling a determina­ disability field . Since then, a special their active participation in all as­ tion grew to strengthen human values study has been made of disability and pects of society." Since then, various and dignity. As everyone knows, this human rights by the Human Rights commissions and committees in the led to the adoption of the Universal Commission, and towards the end of human rights area have taken up the Declaration of Human Rights three the 1980s attempts were made in the disability issue in a very promising years later. Since then the involve­ UN General Assembly to draw up a way. Such actions reveal to a largely ment of the international community convention on the rights of people ignorant world that it is necessary to in strengthening human rights has with disabilities. protect persons with disabilities from developed apace. The two general For various reasons these at­ di scrimination and to take measures covenants on political and civil rights tempts failed. In 1993, and as a to strengthen their right to participa­ and on social, cultural and economic conclusion to theUnited Nations tion. rights are among the most important Decade of Disabled Persons ( 1983- This chain of events, which agreements, while during the 1970s 1992), the Standard started in 1981, will eventually lead and 1980s the rights of women and Rules on the Equalization of to stronger and more generally ac­ children have been strengthened Opportunities for Persons with cepted legislation in the disability through special conventions. Disabilities were adopted. The goal field. After all, the world belongs to But what about the human rights of disability policy is still "full par­ all of us. The human environment as of citizens with disabilities? Well, ticipation and equality", and the well as all the activities created by things have finally started to happen. method recommended is to identify humans for humans should be there Two important achievements which and remove obstacles to participa­ for all to enjoy. Nobody can doubt emerged from the International Year tion. The Rules outline a Code of that a world which is good for dis­ of Disabled Persons in 1981 Conduct for governments and abled people is a better world for all! strengthened the position of people strongly emphasize the right to full with disabilities. The first was the citizenship and equal participation. • adoption of the theme of the year, One very significant step towards which was "Full participation and the recognition of the special human equality". This has ever sincere­ rights needs of people with disabili­ Mr Bengt Lindqvist is Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission for Social Development on mained the internationally recog­ ties was taken when the World Disability, Box 163 63, 5-103 26 , nized goal of disability policy. The Conference on Human Rights, held .