ARUSHA, TANZANIA — Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have called for swift action to secure assent to the East African Community Persons with Disabilities Bill, passed by the Assembly in 2016 but still not law.
The lawmakers urged the EAC Council of Ministers and partner states to finalise and implement the Bill to strengthen protections for persons with disabilities, improve accessibility and ensure equal access to employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.
The call came during a debate on a motion introduced by Rwanda’s EALA member Alex Bahati. The motion urged the Council of Ministers and partner states to adopt and implement measures that promote the rights of persons with disabilities, including accessible environments and services that meet their needs. Lawmakers said continued delay in enacting the 2016 Bill left persons with disabilities facing barriers in public buildings, schools, hospitals, workplaces and other areas of daily life.
The motion was presented under Articles 49(2)(d) and 120(c) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, as well as Rule 26 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.
Bahati noted that although partner states are parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, significant barriers continue to prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully in social, economic and professional activities.
The motion recalled that Article 27 of the Convention recognises the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others. It also cited Article 120(c) of the EAC Treaty, which calls on partner states to develop and adopt a common strategy to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.
It further noted that in 2008, the Council of Ministers directed the EAC Secretariat to develop a comprehensive policy on persons with disabilities. In 2012, the Secretariat prepared a regional policy for submission to the Council.
However, the East African Community Persons with Disabilities Bill, which was passed by the Assembly in 2016, has yet to become law because it has not secured the required assent.
Lawmakers who took part in the debate said the delay demonstrated the need to make disability rights a priority within the Community and ensure that existing policies were translated into practical action.
Contributing to the debate, Rwanda’s EALA member Fatuma Ndangiza said that although partner states had signed protocols relating to the rights of persons with disabilities, implementation continued to face challenges, particularly in providing disability-friendly infrastructure.
She said some schools, hospitals and public buildings lacked facilities that met the needs of persons with disabilities, limiting their access to services and participation in development activities.
Ndangiza urged EAC ministers to expedite the process of finalising the Bill passed in 2016 so that it could receive the required assent and become a law protecting the rights and interests of persons with disabilities across partner states.
Uganda’s EALA member Mary Mugwenyi said persons with disabilities needed protection through policies and laws that addressed their needs in daily life, employment, education and mental healthcare.
Mugwenyi noted that even the EAC headquarters faced infrastructure challenges that made it difficult for some persons with disabilities to access and use its facilities.
She cited the lack of suitable ramps and accessibility challenges for wheelchair users and people who use walking aids. She stressed that EAC institutions should lead by example in ensuring that persons with disabilities received services on an equal basis.
“It is a human right for all citizens of our region to be protected equally, just like other citizens within the Community,” Mugwenyi said.
She said the Council of Ministers should ensure that EAC policies included measures to protect the rights of persons with disabilities in employment, access to education, daily life and mental health services.
Tanzania’s EALA member Ansari Aboubakar Kachwamba said persons with disabilities were a recognised group under international conventions and protocols and should enjoy their rights without being treated as though they were seeking special favours.
Kachwamba said the rights of persons with disabilities were fundamental rights that must be respected. He added that the delay in finalising the Bill needed to be addressed so that EAC policies and infrastructure could take the needs of persons with disabilities into account.
He cited the example of lawmakers with disabilities who travel to perform their duties, noting that some require assistants who must also be provided with transport and other necessary services to enable them to offer support.
According to Kachwamba, measures addressing the needs of persons with disabilities should be incorporated into the Community’s plans and systems to ensure equal opportunities for them to perform their responsibilities.
In the resolution, the EALA called on the Council of Ministers to finalise and implement a policy on reasonable accommodation and appropriate services for persons with disabilities working within the East African Community.
The Assembly also urged the Council to direct the Secretariat to ensure that the buildings and services of all EAC institutions were accessible, disability-inclusive and user-friendly.
The lawmakers said protecting the rights of persons with disabilities required more than conventions and policies. It also required effective implementation of the law and investment in inclusive infrastructure to ensure that persons with disabilities participated fully in the development of the East African Community.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment