Italian initiative at UN on rights of people with disabilities

(ANSA) – GINEVRA, 02 DIC – Confirming its institutional commitment to the promotion of human rights and in view of its membership in the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2026-2028 mandate, Italy presented today at the United Nations in Geneva the Group of Friends for the Cultural Rights of Persons with Disabilities, co-chaired by our country together with Cyprus, Iraq Mexico and Montenegro.
"The objective of the Group is to promote and guarantee the cultural rights of persons with disabilities worldwide and in all circumstances, including the right to participate in cultural life, to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, and to promote cultural and linguistic identity," said Italy's Permanent Representative in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi.
"I invite the entire international community to join the initiative in favor of full inclusion in social and cultural life of people with disabilities," he added.
The establishment of the Group," a statement from the Representation explained, "is the crowning achievement of a path promoted by Italy since last June with a side-event on the sidelines of the 59th session of the Cdu and continued with the Joint Declaration on the Cultural Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which in September garnered a record number of adhesions, with as many as 144 countries adhering, including all member states of the European Union, the African Group, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic States.
Among the Group's activities," the statement explains, "is the digitization of cultural heritage in various countries around the world, promoted by the Farnesina with the "Virtual Museum on Cultural Heritage" project and carried out according to inclusive criteria for the participation of people with disabilities. Also planned is the elaboration of the first International Guidelines for the cultural rights of people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, based on a project promoted by Italy, Cyprus, Iraq, Mexico and Montenegro and coordinated by the Heritage International Institute involving in each country 1,000 people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, with the aim of improving the ways of fruition and accessibility to cultural heritage, including through dedicated visits to Museums and cultural places.
Read article…