IIMSAM official Dr. Naseer Homoud urged for bringing Persons with Disabilities to mainstream while observing International Day of Persons with Disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 3, 2009 --

While marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dr. Naseer Homoud Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “IIMSAM joins in the celebrations of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities underlining the fundamental pillar that the right to work can be helpful in empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring to live independent and dignified lives as active members of the society”.

While reaffirming IIMSAM commitments to work on better life conditions for disabled persons Dr. Homoud contended “it is evident that worldwide, persons with disabilities are yet prone to discrimination, stigmatization, social exclusion and violation of their rights. This UN Convention is satisfying an imperative protection gap in international human rights law as it recognizes disability as a human rights issue and not only as welfare issues”. While commending efforts of UN in promoting and ensuring rights for disabled persons Dr. Homoud lauded the sincere and honest efforts of the UN and comprehended that United Nations has a long history of promoting the rights and well-being of all people, including persons with disabilities.

Stressing on the fact that disability is not confined to mere an issue of social welfare Dr. Homoud while addressing the media maintained that disability should not be seen as a matter of concern to the disabled persons and their entourage alone. Disability concerns the whole of society, in terms of the legislation, education and services which should be promoted if the disabled persons are to be fully integrated; the environment should be adapted to their needs whenever necessary. He further advocated “that governments must increase their efforts to ensure that children and adults with disabilities gain access to better medical care, which will help them to participate in the mainstream strata of the society”.

While pointing IIMSAM’s agenda under leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM on the matter Dr. Homoud said that IIMSAM is working on ensuing better life conditions for person with disabilities through various strategies. Dr. Homoud while giving call to governments for supporting IIMSAM said “we are leaving no stones unturned to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by using Spirulina and it is known that persons with disabilities are more prone to malnutrition and hunger and often their disabilities are directly attributed to malnutrition. IIMSAM is committed to accomplish its mandates and to ensure a world free of hunger and malnutrition thus extending its wings to persons with disabilities.

Dr. Naseer Homoud     IIMSAM