Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated the importance of promoting the rights of people with disabilities, noting that they have the right to enjoy their lives, just as anyone does, repeating that his government will “leave no one behind”.
While presiding over the March 21 inauguration of the Techo Sen National Centre of Disabled Persons and the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia (NPCC) headquarters, Manet shared his elation that people with disabilities are able to participate in the Kingdom’s economic activities.
“This is a reflection of the capacity and the potential of people with disabilities. As the old saying goes: ‘Our bodies may be paralysed, but our hearts are not’.
“I want to make it clear to all of you that you are not alone. Just as former Prime Minister Hun Sen did, I and the seventh-mandate government consider you all as potential human capital. This is clearly defined in phase one of the Pentagonal Strategy,” he said.
He appealed to the regional and international community to continue the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals on Persons with Disabilities, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Incheon strategy for Persons with Disabilities, to establish an inclusive and harmonious community for people with disabilities.
Manet added that the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities is necessary. These rights include access to education, healthcare and judicial services, as well as full, equal and non-discriminatory participation in social and religious activities, sport, arts and politics.
“To discriminate or overlook the capacity of people with disabilities is wrong, morally and spiritually. Doing so destroys solidarity, harmony and faith in our communities,” he said.
He recommended that the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and other relevant institutions draw up comprehensive legal documents to ensure that the Techo Sen National Centre of Disabled Persons belongs to people with disabilities, “Forever. Now, and in the future”.
He said the participation of the disabled should be encouraged and promoted in all social, economic, political and cultural activities, in order to achieve inclusive development.
Manet encouraged the ministries to increase cooperation in training for people with disabilities, especially the use of technology.
He explained that this will improve their capabilities, as well as access to high-paying jobs which improve their lives, as well as those of their families.
He added that in order to ensure it can carry out its work efficiently, the government has earmarked funds which will be used to kick-start the development of sports for disabled persons. He noted that this is especially important, as Cambodia will host the sixth Asian Youth Para Games in 2029.
The premier also announced the provision of $200 million to the Samdech Techo Disability Foundation each year for the next four years, a total of $800 million
NPCC secretary-general Yi Veasna said that since the committee was formed 27 years ago, it has implemented four major programmes.
They include community rehabilitation; information provision and work communications; the production and dissemination of information on the protection of the rights of disabled persons; and support for disabled persons in the field of sports. At present, the centre has 20,112 registered disabled members.
“Of that number, 3,742 are working in factories, organisations and other institutions, and 3,711 have received support services from us, in the form of walking sticks and hospital treatment across the Kingdom,” said Veasna.
“We have also provided access to artificial limb and rehabilitation centres, as well as training courses,” he added.
Situated in Kouk Khleang commune’s Trapeang Svay village, in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, the Techo Sen National Centre of Disabled Persons is a two-storey building with 5,000sqm of floor space.
It features a 100-person meeting hall, office space for 40 officials and two dormitories for scholarship students and para-athletes. It also has a 2,200sqm Paralympic training ground.
