The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)
President, Mr. Colin Allen, sent the Rapporteur an official letter of
appreciation for the Rapporteur’s annual speech at the Conference of the UN
Commission of Social Development in this February that stressed the rights of
Deaf people and promotion of their rights to sign languages. Since then, I have
been in touch with the secretariat of the World Federation of the Deaf.
On 24th April, I was invited to
the WFD as my capacity as Assistant to the Rapporteur. The WFD team leader, Ms.
Torun Eklund, Administrative Secretary, Ms. Phillipa Sandholm, and Human Rights
Officer, Ms. Eeva Tupi with three sign language interpreters welcomed me.
We discussed many issues over the full two
hours starting from needs-based approach versus rights-based approach, to
bio-ethics of cochlear implant, and to politics in decision-makings. The
secretariat is very active and strong, and making great efforts in operationalizing
human rights into practice. It is always very encouraging for me to meet these
people in the disability movement. I am extremely privileged to have had this
opportunity to get to know their activities better.
