UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Deng Pufang, President of the China Disabled Persons' Federation was awarded the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights on Wednesday, the Human Rights Day.

    "On behalf of the United Nations, I present you this award in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the promotion andprotection of human rights and fundamental freedom," said UN General Assembly President Julian Hunte at an awarding ceremony.

    Hunte praised Deng for his role as an international advocate for the rights of the disabled. He said Deng's advocacy has significantly improved the living standard of status of persons with disabilities in China.

    His most significant achievement, he noted, includes the establishment of the China Welfare Fund for the Handicapped in 1984 which now assists over 15 million disabled people on low-income and in the enactment of China's first law on the protection and promotion of human rights for persons with disabilities.

    Deng has also been instrumental in bringing international attention to the rights of the disabled and a strong supporter for an international convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, the president said.

    Deng is among the four elite persons and two organizations to receive the award. The other winners are the late UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio de Mello, Enriqueta de Carlotto of Argentina, Shulamith Koenig of the United States, Jordan's Family Protection Project Management Team and the Mano River Women's Peace Network in the West Africa Mano River Region. Enditem