Augustino Wudu, the Chairperson of South Sudan Union of Persons with Disabilities. (Photo: Baria Johnson).

The South Sudan Union of Persons with Disabilities said it expects the government to implement legislations that safeguard the rights of those with special needs.

Union Chairman, Augustino Wudu, said the government must play a proactive role in domesticating the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Wudu called for the establishment of a National Disability Council that shall provide technical advice and monitor the implementation of the UNCRPD.

Agustino spoke at a press conference on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of South Sudan becoming a state party to the UN Contention.

“We are now expecting the government to take proactive role in the domestication of the UNCRPD and its protocol in South Sudan by enacting a law to promote the rights of persons with disabilities within South Sudan,” he said.

“….and establish a National Disability Council that shall provide technical advice and monitor the implementation of the UNCRPD.”

Wudu further called on the country’s leadership to ratify the African Disability Protocol that was adopted by the African Union Heads of State Assembly in 2018.

“South Sudan Union of Persons with Disability is urging the political leadership of the country to further undertake proactive role in ratifying the African Disability Protocol.”

“The African Union Heads of State Assembly adopted the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disability in Africa on January 29^th 2o18.”

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and was opened for signature on 30 March 2007.

In February 2023, President Kiir signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, alongside other conventions.

The convention promotes, protects and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.