KUALA LUMPUR: OKU Sentral president Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi has proposed that Malaysia fulfil its international obligation to submit a preliminary report as a state party to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations (UN).

       Ras Adiba further proposed that the government take the effort and initiative to sign the Marrakesh Treaty to give easier access to the published and printed works of the blind.

       She said this was to ensure that the delivery of information and the high quality of services are provided for those in the visually impaired category.

       The two proposals were among four submitted by Ras Adiba during her meeting with the Malaysian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid.

       Ras Adiba also proposed the government withdraw reservations to CRPD, Article 15 on “Freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment”, and Article 18 on “Freedom of movement and citizenship”, which she had signed.

       She also called on the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) to quickly submit CRPD reports to the UN as Malaysia has not done so for the past 10 years.

       Ras Adiba said these need to be done as Malaysia has been appointed member of the Human Rights Council (MHAM) for the term 2022-2024.

       At the meeting, the Senator also discussed access to education, especially UN scholarships for the disabled, to ensure the group is not excluded from opportunities to further tertiary education. —Bernama