FSM Disability Advocacy Group lead-person meets with Vice President Alik

 FSMIS (April 23, 2013): Mr.Nelbert Perez of Pohnpei,  president of the FSM Disable People Organization, had the opportunity to meet with Vice President Alik L. Alik in the afternoon of April 23 at the President's Conference Room.

Vice President Alik (left) and Mr. Nelbert Perez

Vice President Alik welcomed Mr. Perez who was making a follow up visit with regards the status of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, which was signed by President Manny Mori on September, 23, 2011 at the occasion of the 66th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Apart from some discussions on the administration's desire to have the Convention approved and for FSM to make sure progress in its fulfillment, Vice President Alik pointed to the fact that the Convention has been pending with Congress for some time since its submission for approval.

Vice President indicated that he could not pinpoint any issue or reason that might have caused the hold-off on affirmative action on the Convention.

It was agreed that more engagements with Congress through various arrangements are needed to facilitate full acceptance of the Convention through legislative action that further highlights human rights and inclusive treatment issues in the FSM.  

The Congress had adopted the FSM Disability Policy in 2009, paving the way for more comprehensive and integrated barrier removing actions in meaningful considerations of people with different levels of abilities. 

For more information, contact fsmpio@mail.fm.