BFG advocates for the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was ratified in Rwanda in 2008. A number of tools are available which provide more information about the rights of persons with disabilities in Rwanda.
A summary of the articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.
The Convention is based on the principles of respect for dignity; non-discrimination; participation and inclusion; respect for difference; equality of opportunity; accessibility; equality between men and women; and respect for children.
General obligations
Countries must take a range of measures, with the active involvement of people with disabilities, to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind.
Equality and non-discrimination
Everyone is equal before and under the law. Everyone is entitled to the equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination. Women and girls with disabilities experience multiple discrimination. Children with disabilities have the same human rights as all other children. The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children with disabilities.
Accessibility
People with disabilities have the right to access all aspects of society on an equal basis with others including the physical environment, transportation, information and communications, and other facilities and services provided to the public.
Equal recognition before the law
People with disabilities have the right to recognition as persons before the law. People with disabilities have legal capacity on an equal basis with others in all aspects of life.
Health
People with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination. Countries must take all appropriate measures, including measures that are gender-sensitive, to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the same range, quality and standard of health care that is available to everyone else, and which are close to people’s own communities.
Education
People with disabilities have a right to education without discrimination. Countries must ensure that people with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary and secondary education in their own community.
Work and employment
People with disabilities have the right to work, including the right to work in an environment that is open, inclusive and accessible. Countries must take appropriate steps to promote employment opportunities and career advancement for people with disabilities.
Access to justice
People with disabilities have the right to effective access to justice on an equal basis with others, including through the provision of appropriate accommodations.
Respect for home and the family
People with disabilities have the right to marry and to found a family. Countries must provide effective and appropriate support to people with disabilities in bringing up children, and provide alternative care to children with disabilities where the immediate family is unable to care for them.
BFG acts as an organization for greater disable rights through a combination of analysis, advocacy, and action. Our research and analysis frame the policy debate in the Rwanda on the progress and raising of rights of PWDs. We advocate for Rwandan persons with disabilities and collaboration governments and civil society organizations local and international to vigorously persons with disabilities(PWDs) and fights against unjust treatment. We magnify the voices of PWDs struggling for freedom in oppressive societies and token authoritarian efforts to weaken environment inspection of their rules. We also empower persons with disabilities human rights defenders and civic activists to uphold fundamental rights and to advance democratic change.