Photos & Video: Minister Furbert On UNCRPD
Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors Tinee Furbert held a press conference this morning [Oct 14] to discuss the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [UNCRPD].
Minister Furbert’s full statement follows below:
Good morning to my differently abled community and Bermuda,
Thank you to all who have gathered here with me today to mark a truly historic moment for Bermuda. To Ms. Simmons and the entire team at Summerhaven. Your daily work of empowering people with physical disabilities and fostering a welcoming environment is invaluable to Bermuda. You embody the essence of what today represents, and we are profoundly grateful for all that you do.
We are here to celebrate the official extension of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [UNCRPD] to our island – a significant stride forward that declares, as a country, our commitment to securing the rights, dignity, and full participation of our disabled community.
Bermuda is proud to be the first British Overseas Territory to achieve this milestone, and it stands as a testament to what we can accomplish together in the pursuit of a diverse society. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. This extension signifies that each disabled person in Bermuda now has strengthened protections, securing their rights to civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, enjoying the same freedoms as all other members of our society. The Convention is necessary to have a clear reaffirmation that the rights of persons with disabilities are human rights and to strengthen respect for these rights.
This accomplishment isn’t just about policy—it is a commitment to over three thousand Bermudians living with disabilities, affirming that we see you, we respect you, and we are devoted to advancing equality at every level.
Sir Stephen Timms, the UK’s Minister for Social Security and Disability, has shared the UK’s determination to champion the rights of disabled persons and to dismantle barriers. I echo his sentiments wholeheartedly. This achievement reaffirms our Government’s dedication to collaborating with persons with disabilities, their families, and representative organisations, to create a future where equality is the very cornerstone of our society.
For Bermuda, this journey has been years in the making. The extension of the UNCRPD fulfills a key objective outlined in the 2020 Throne Speech, which pledged to advance the rights of disabled Bermudians. It is not only a commitment from our Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors but a commitment from every Bermudian who believes in a society where diversity is our strength and belonging is our standard.
Today is a reminder that our work does not end here. We will continue focusing on breaking down the barriers that restrict access to education, employment, accessibility, and independent living. Each area represents a gateway to greater independence and fulfillment. We are here to continue this work, not only through policies but with purposeful action and accountability.
To the disabled community of Bermuda: I have always been your advocate, to ensure that your rights are upheld. This extension provides a foundation, and together we will build upon it. It is my privilege to serve as a Minister responsible for persons with disabilities, and I pledge to be relentless in my actions, ensuring Bermuda becomes a place where everyone, regardless of ability, has a voice. I can pass a law but until you change societies attitudes, that law won’t mean much. Before I end, I would like to my team at the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors who worked tirelessly towards the goal of seeing through the extension of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [UNCRPD] to our island. Thank you.
Today, we embark upon a new chapter in our journey towards changing attitudes. In the words of Robert M. Hensel “There is no greater disability in a society than the inability to see a person as more.”
Thank you.
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