Moldova must make radical changes in protecting rights of persons with disabilities, says UN special rapporteur

Chisinau, 17 September /MOLDPRES/ - People with disabilities and special needs should be integrated into families and society, and the institutions where these children are placed must be closed. This is the opinion of UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, on a visit to Moldova on 10 - 17 September.

At a today's news conference, the UN rapporteur said that Moldova must make radical changes in terms of protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly their inclusion in society and in the family.

"I saw that there are abuses in the hospitals and centres where these children are placed, and authorities should get involved and initiate reforms to protect these people," said Devandas-Aguilar.

The rapporteur noted that "the situation at these institutions is deplorable, and such centres should be closed according to international practice, and the persons integrated in families and society, because they have the same rights as everyone else."

At the same time, the UN official welcomed the government’s involvement in solving problems in this field (the adoption of the law on social inclusion of people with disabilities) and further encourages the Moldovan authorities to adjust national legislation to the provisions of the UN Convention.

According to statistics, over 180,000 persons with disabilities are registered in Moldova, and approximately 150 children with special needs are born annually.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, Editor A. Raileanu)