Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday called on Cambodian television stations to create programming for the deaf so that they could follow the latest news.

Speaking to about 800 disabled persons, government officials and civil society representatives at Phnom Penh’s Peace Palace yesterday, Hun Sen committed the government to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities and related reforms.

“We have developed Braille and sign language and included those in the education curriculums, IT and media so that the blind and visually impaired and the deaf can keep themselves updated with latest news,” he said.

“Despite the great achievements in terms of the welfare of persons with disabilities, there remain obstacles for them that must be addressed,” he said, appealing for more media outlets to join in the cause.  

Ngin Saorath, executive director of Cambodian Disabled People’s Organisation, said Hun Sen had also called for TV stations to employ sign language for the deaf last year, but so far only two stations – TVK and Bayon – had complied.

“The media have to employ the interpreter for sign language to make sure that the deaf persons have the right to information based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, articles 21 and 29,” he said.