Harjinder Jutle, President of Montserrat Association for Persons with Disabilities (MAPD), was elected to represent North America and the Caribbean on the World Council of Disabled People’s International (DPI) on Sunday at the close of meetings in St. Kitts.
DPI describes itself as the first international Human Rights organisation and has special consultative status with the United Nations. It is consulted by the UN on matters relating to the implementation of the its Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Sustainable Development Goals. DPI’s Delhi Convention of 2016 calls for the universal ratification of the Convention.
Harjinder said “I think the fact that Montserrat is one of the few territories left that isn’t covered by the UN Convention, and that we have been raising the issue at the highest levels in Government here, and in the UK, may have gained me some support. One of the campaigns I participated in while I was at the Regional Assembly was the “we’ll lend you a pen” photo opportunity organised by disabled people in St Kitts, and aimed at pressing the Government there to ratify the Convention.”
Now I can speak on behalf of an international body I will be pushing DFID and the FCO to adopt a more serious approach to disability rights across all the Overseas Territories. No one must be left behind.”
Harjinder was also elected Secretary of DPI North America and the Caribbean.
