UN chief urges social justice for people with Down syndrome

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for "inclusive policies" and raised awareness about social justice for people with Down syndrome, saying that it is the world's "collective responsibility" to "help build a life of dignity for all, including people with Down syndrome and other persons with disabilities."

In his message to mark the World Down Syndrome Day, which falls on March 21, "We must promote inclusive policies and raise awareness about social justice for people with Down syndrome, and do everything possible to enable them to live where they want and with whom, to form their own families, to administer their own assets and to pursue their own happiness."

"The role of families is central to supporting persons with Down syndrome by promoting their equal status in society and empowering them to be their own advocates," the secretary-general said. "At the same time, we must recognize our collective responsibility to create conditions for all persons with disabilities to make valuable contributions to our shared future."

The World Down Syndrome Day was first observed in 2006 in many countries around the world.

Afterwards, the World Day is observed on March 21 annually. On this day, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organize and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome. Many of these events are recorded on the official World Down Syndrome Day website.

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socio-economic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide.

Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

"Persons with Down syndrome face stigmatization, abuse and lack of support," Ban said. "Too often, their challenges begin early in life when they are excluded from quality education systems."

"Adequate access to health care, early intervention programs and inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of individuals with Down syndrome," he said.

This year's World Down Syndrome Day falls as the international community is striving to create a universal, transformative agenda for sustainable development.

"The links between disability, human rights and development span a wide spectrum of development issues relating to economic, social and environmental factors," the secretary-general said.

"Every year on this observance, we reaffirm that persons with Down syndrome are entitled to the full enjoyment of all human rights," he said. "This year, we must make every effort to ensure that the new sustainable development goals address equality and help build a life of dignity for all, including people with Down syndrome and other persons with disabilities."

"I applaud all those who champion the rights and lives of persons with disabilities, and I urge others to support them," he said. "Let us use this World Down Syndrome Day to advocate for a more socially just and inclusive world." Endite