The Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili says government is scrutinising the United Nations Convention on people with disabilities, after which it would decide on its signing and ratification.

The Prime Minister said this during the celebration to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities that was held in Teyateyaneng on Monday.

He said it was imperative to always decide to sign the conventions after learning and understanding their requirements.

People with disabilities are faced with various challenges, one of which is being demeaned and hated by some public members, he said, warning the public to refrain from such practice as it is discrimination against people with disability.

He further appealed to the public to support people with disability and urged parents who have children with disability not to hide them, but to declare their presence so that they could be assisted.

Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Refiloe Masemene said Lesotho is one of the countries committed to ensure the welfare of people with disabilities.

He noted that stigmatisation of people with disabilities was severe before 1994 but waned after charity organisations started raising awareness on disability.

The United Nations (UN) Representative in Lesotho, Mr. Bhim Udas who is the Acting Resident Coordinator expressed concern that many people with disabilities worldwide are victims of various forms of discrimination. He noted that in most cases, they are denied employment in various work places.

He expressed need for people with disabilities to be given equitable job opportunities without any prejudice.

Present at the occasion included Her Majesty Queen 'M'asenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso, Cabinet Ministers, Senior Government Officials and the public.

Source: LENA 04/12/2007