World Down Syndrome Day

The World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated today, March 21. The date is a reference to the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes the Down syndrome (21/3). The observation of the date aims to raise awareness about the importance of promoting the rights of the people born with the Down syndrome to enjoy a full and decent life, valuing them as participating members of their communities and society.

Celebrated since 2012, the World Down Syndrome Day was adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly from a draft Resolution presented by Brazil, co-sponsored by 77 countries. The Brazilian proposal reflects the attention given by the Brazilian society to the matter. Since 2006, when international mobilization around the date began, Brazil has been one of the countries that stood out in promoting activities around the date.

In addition to the Down syndrome, Brazil is internationally active in general disability issues, having actively participated in negotiations for the elaboration of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006. On the domestic front, the Brazilian Law of Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities came into force in January 2016, providing a series of guarantees to people with disabilities in Brazil, in line with the Convention.

On July 2014, Itamaraty established the Committee for Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPPD), a permanent and advisory body which aims to promote and accelerate the creation of mechanisms for the promotion of the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities, in the scope of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.