A United Nations (UN) committee has urged the Marshall Islands to address the long-term effects of nuclear testing on people with disabilities.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has issued findings from its latest reviews of Marshall Islands and Samoa among other countries.
The committee noted the continuing effects from the United States nuclear testing programme conducted from 1946 to 1958.
It said the testing had disproportionate intergenerational health impacts on the Marshall Islands’ population
The government has been urged to “act beyond research” and address the long-term effects of testing on people with disabilities.
The committee also noted how legislation that would harmonise the Marshalls’ laws with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities remains stalled.
Regarding Samoa, the Committee noted with concern terminology in Samoa’s constitution and other laws that equate disability with disadvantage or restriction.
The Committee recommended amending the Constitution and other relevant laws to remove derogatory and stigmatising terminology
Samoa is also urged to form a comprehensive legal and policy framework on disability and pass the Disability Bill.
Furthermore, the Committee asked Samoa to systematically involve people with disabilities in disaster risk reduction, climate change and emergency governance frameworks.
